Ten

Ten were once to chart the course, but chorus frayed and cratered
Nine then landed, open handed, set about to proffer man
Eight were found to offer sound and good advice, though tone was deaf
Seven then struck out their own and carried weight through paper’s fate
Six knew best to keep behest to simple word and wanton
Five were wise of the curdled cry that licked lol the city champion
Four kept low to underroads and shady parks to set apart
Three could see the line between but feared too much to cross 
Two could only sigh as city lines turned to horizon
One kept just a gun in bed, should ever they come for his head