You Are a Handsome Man

Her voice dropped to a saucy tone She spoke behind her fan. She said, "Now, Red, don't get me wrong- You are a handsome man. "You're a drifter as we both know, A cowboy through and through. I need a man who's always there We both know that ain't you. "You've got to be where cattle go, The world's an open range - I wish there was another way I know you'll never change. "You'll be in some saloon somewhere, In some new cattle town, An' I'll be here just raisin' kids, Tryin' to hold 'em down. "So just be sweet an' let me go, An' I'll walk out of here. I'll find someone and so will you An' we'll be friends, my dear." She turned and left that dim saloon Went through the swingin' door She took an Eastbound train that day Was never seen no more Now Red turned to the bartender An' scratched beneath his hat "Texas is hard on womenfolk - Just who the hell was that?" April, 2016