He Died Satisfied

Pa laid there in that white sheet bed and looked around for Ma He knew his time was runnin' out and he just scratched his jaw He looked at me and said, "Well, son, looks like my time is done. "I'm seein' all the years flood by - my dead friends one by one. "I cain't tell just where they are, could be heaven, could be hell, "But wherever it is they're all there best as I can tell. "Always thought thar cowboys would stick together in the end "And sure enough, there they are, each one that I called my friend." His eyes closed softly and his breathing eased up just a bit. I wondered what was in his thoughts and if he still would fit. His hand twitched gently as he dreamed, a smile had crossed his face. He softly spoke,"Well, howdy, Red, that hoss will set the pace, "I see that you are mounted well - beats all we ever had. "There's ol' Bob with a rope to hand an' he don't look so bad" He said, "Bob, where are you boys..that don't look like either place." Bob said,"That was a surprise to look St. Pete in the face. "St. Pete don't take cowboys and the devil is too high tone "They talked and nodded, gave us a horse and sent us to San Antone" I saw Pa laugh and say,"Hot Dang!", he rolled his eyes and died. I don't know what he saw or heard, but he died satisfied December, 2016