Notes About The Poem
I had this image in my head of a worn but good looking guy sitting at a counter in a diner with a woman trying to get him to stay in town. I don't know where it came from but I had to tell his story. Hope you enjoy The Ride.
The Ride
THE RIDE
I got a horse named Sam, a dog named Joe,
and my old Chevy truck.
In the front of my trailer is my saddle and bridle
with a horseshoe thrown in for luck.
Got my bedroll and boots, one change of clothes,
just enough money for gas.
I’m on my way to the next rodeo,
so Darlin’, I think I’ll pass
Your kind invitation to hang around here,
and take up a new line of work
That wouldn’t involve breakin’ my bones.
To refuse makes me sound like a jerk.
But listen a moment to what’s in my heart,
and maybe you’ll understand
Why I keep on ridin’ them wild buckin’ broncs
while lookin’ for a soft place to land.
When I was eighteen I thought about gettin’ a job
and workin’ from nine to five.
But I couldn’t find anything I could do
that would keep me feelin’ alive.
Now it’s twenty years later and I ain’t got much
to show for the years in between.
But it don’t matter when I get to the gate,
‘cause it starts all over again.
I hear the roar of the rodeo crowd.
I smell the dust risin’ high in a cloud.
And there’s a thrill that starts to tickle my veins
when I hear them start to call out the names.
I know that soon I’m gonna be out there.
Win or lose, I’m not gonna care,
‘cause all I wanna do is make The Ride.
It’s all about The Ride.
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