The Midnight Roper
The Midnight Roper
Written: by Tom Wright
5/27/99
His wrinkled face belied his age
he was only forty three.
I wondered, as he recalled his life
why should be telling me.
Maybe he just wanted someone
that his problems he could reveal.
But as he began recalling his life
the reality of it all I could feel.
He said, Son, I started many years ago
not intending to wind up bad.
I "rekon" it just "kinda" happened
being raised without a dad.
Mother did the best she could
but with four "youngins" on the farm.
I took my first job on a ranch
just to keep them fed and warm.
It's there I learned to sit a horse
becoming skilled with a lasso.
I listened to another one moonlit night
who planned to make some easy dough.
I thought I'd try it just one time
though I knew it to be wrong.
To throw my rope on some steer
if to me it didn't belong.
Later on I bought myself a gun
by now I was a thief full blown.
For it had become my way of life
as the "Midnight Roper" now I'm known.
"Ropin" cattle in the moonlight
is what put me in this place.
I didn't start out to cause "nobody" harm
or my family name to disgrace.
I guess you're wondering why I'm "tellin" you?
It's not, that for me your heart should break.
But before they march me to that tree
I must tell someone, not to make my mistake.
Copyright © Tom Wright | Year Posted 2019
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