On the Prairie

On The Prairie Congregated on the prairie western clear with beasts Cowboy chews tobacco, swirls black liquid, spits Projectile clean, target hit, lizard quick Long tongued creature stunned No time to snatch a timid bug So much hungry love undone Reptile rolls over rounded rock pin ball like Looks both ways before crossing into dark Cowpoke silhouetted, floated on campfire Smiles Clint Eastwood style Slips a small stogie through cracked dry lips Moves it from left to right Lights it, inhales harsh life Jagged teeth, yellow, tinted by time Clinched while he thinks about old wars A warrior down to the core Grins at the beans bubbling up Old iron skillet and the western sky Gazes at the long lost stars through smoke Shakes sand off hat and boots when done Speaks not a single word But with a sigh he rises and rides off