Classic Poem

The cowboy poet
Still sings
His storied melodies ‘round a flickering fire
On the wide open range
Of the midnight sky.

And sometimes when the stars are out
You can hear his lilting voice
Carried on the wind…

He tells of roundups long ago
Bandits and outlaws
Rugged men who tamed the West
Places like Tombstone and Laredo
And the “west Texas town of El Paso”
Where young lovers bid farewell.

Farewell to you, old friend.
Farewell.

We’ll keep some coffee on the stove
And a warm place by the fire
And when you’re cold and feeling lonesome
From a long and dusty ride
Take off your boots and rest awhile
And sing a song or two.


(Previously published in Horsethief's Journal, Issue 6, Dec 1999)