Waddie Peacock's Last New Year

(The real Waddie Peacock, described only as “an old L.S. cowpuncher,” had the distinction of being the first person buried in Logan, New Mexico’s first cemetery in 1910.) It seems a man rides restless when he’s alone on the rim— No one to rein him in a bit, no one to bury him. So Waddie Peacock sat astride his horse reassessin’— Dreamin’ past those frozen plains, tryin’ to count each blessin’. He’d been an ol’ L.S. cowpuncher since hard scrabble youth, But with the years and creakin’ bowlegs, he now sought the truth. He didn’t go out ridin’ much on that December trail— He holed-up in an ol’ line shack till wit and nerve did fail. But here he was on New Year’s Eve watchin’ those lone star skies, Knowin’ that each man’s life is short, before he ups and dies. Come fall he’ll head his hoss out to Logan, New Mexico— Say goodbye to the L.S. boys and then he’ll have to go. Some say there’s silver down Logan way - he’ll pack up his gun— A brand new town and way of life – a brand new risin’ sun. But now ol’ Waddie Peacock waits the start of this New Year. He pats his faithful horse and knows with life there is no fear. Somewhere a cowboy clangs a bell and shoots into the air— The New Year comes like all the rest – ol’ Waddie just sits there. Somehow he feels this year’s his last, and that he’ll be called home— And Logan’s where he’ll soon now rest beneath the land and stone.