The Lonesome Cowboy
****
Just a horse as his companion,
searching mountain top and canyon.
Burning daylight seeking cattle
always on his horse astraddle.
****
Night time camping on the prairie
sometimes creepy, often scary.
Beans and coffee by the campfire
open wounds from mending barbwire.
****
Hearing distant coyotes howling,
echoed by his stomach growling.
Rising just as dawn is breaking,
saddle up his body aching.
***
It's a job that has no ending
and he knows the time he's spending
isn't like his youthful dreaming,
no, it's painful and demeaning.
****
Those dime novels told a story
of exaggerated glory.
Come the autumn he'll be homing
put an end to mindless roaming.


(c) April 30, 2012