Gunslinger is the title of a long poem in four parts by Ed Dorn. Edward Merton Dorn ( April 2, 1929 — December 10, 1999) was an American poet and teacher often Part 1 was first published in 1968, and the final complete text appeared in 1989. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) It is his best-known work, and widely considered his most important.