The cowboy might have been
a tough ranch hand
alone most days
set in his ways
a nomad roaming the land.
But underneath that shell
something he kept hid
a child’s adoration
caused a transformation
he winked and said, “I’ll come back for you, kid.”
Surely, he was joking,
teasing his little shadow,
“In one year
I’ll be here,”
he said, “And I’ll take you where I go.”
The boy followed the cowboy
and did whatever he did
until at last
the season passed,
he winked and said, “I’ll come back for you, kid.”
Before he could make good
death came to his door.
Buried in the land
is the old cowhand
never to ride anymore.
A cowboy will keep his word,
even this one did
the boy passed on
when a year was gone
the cowboy came back for the kid.
© 2018 ck’s days
ck's days 