|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
A Christmas For Cowboys
"There just ain't such thing as a Christmas for cowboys,"
The little boy whimpered into his mother's cheek,
All bedecked with cap guns and other western toys,
In Dade's old farmhouse down by Crackerneck Creek.
It had been bone-dry summer with no rain out here--
What crops were left shriveled up as half the herd died--
There wasn't going to be much Christmas that year--
Now mama and Little Zane just sat there and cried.
Pa bought land five years back, too old for rodeo--
He hung up spurs and tack for a tractor and plow--
Determined to reap all the good that he could sow
With his strong back, God's help and the sweat from his brow.
But now he felt God let him down or was chiding,
By turning the weather against all that he tried--
So he told his wife he was going back riding--
But he went gambling instead and she knew he lied.
What money they had, on Blackjack he did soon blow,
Hoping against hope to make that one last big score--
Dead broke, he pulled his cowboy hat down 'gainst the snow
As he leaned, tired and beat, next to a liquor store.
Then he took out walking in that big city--
And stopped on an iron bridge over the mighty Mo--
Looked down in the cold water looking for pity
And wondered if it was time to pack it in and go.
He thought of the sad looks they'd have if he was gone,
And his good wife's trust and love that he had betrayed--
He closed his eyes midst the cold white snow and neon
And to God, he at long last sorrowfully prayed.
When he opened his eyes, the cold wind gave him chills
As he looked down in the slush and ice by his feet--
And there, quite neatly folded were several bills--
Enough for an entrance fee for him to compete.
He was going to do what he said--not eat crow--
Though his bones were aching and he was past his prime.
He headed on out to that indoor rodeo--
If he drove all-night he could make it just in time.
While he knew chances of winning were more than slim,
He put money down to ride that bull Snake Eyes--
He'd made the short go only by the grace of Him,
And if he lost it here, at least he'd say he tried.
Then as that bull belly-rolled and bellowed real loud,
He held on with all the fibers of his being--
He didn't hear the cheers or even see that crowd--
It was his boy and wife's faces he was seeing.
And when they gave him that buckle and great big check,
He thanked them and smiled and then quickly walked away--
He just remembered why it was he made that trek,
And why he had to get back home by Christmas day.
There is such thing as Christmas for cowboys, he thought,
As he heard Zane yell at the window for his ma--
He reckoned Santa was a wrangler who'd not forgot,
'Cause all that Zane wanted was to be with his pa.
© 2003, Glen Enloe
