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Cowboy Poetry and Western Verse
To the Shore
by William K. Baker, Jr.
Waves rose and fell as I rode along the shore,
Wrapped in a duster like every day of my life before,
Shorebirds called and flittered in the fading light,
Sunlight ebbed and gave way to the night,
In the shifting twilight, sand and ocean mist,
A solitary figure riding on horse came to exist,
She and her dark mount reined in near to a hold,
She raised her hand in the ancient greeting of old,
She wore a black flat top hat in Spanish style,
Shoulders held proudly and reins to her chest,
Silver conchos on her jeans, belt, and vest,
Clear eyes, olive skin, and flowing black hair beset,
She leaned forward in her saddle and smiled,
We have things to discuss you and I for many a mile,
She turned her horse and nodded her head,
We had much ground to cover as she moved ahead,
We rode on side by side for many dark miles,
In the distant darkness a shimmering light appeared,
As we rode closer the dancing flames became clear,
A bonfire, provisions, and a respectable camp was near,
She slowed, dismounted, and began to walk,
Moving in absolute grace like a cat on a stalk,
She walked to the fire and warmed her hands,
And motioned me down to join where she stands,
She took a deep breath and paused to speak,
The words came from her mouth with softness of speech,
I know you have questions that are many,
And I will give you answers if I have any,
And of these things we shall speak,
But I must know if I trust what you seek,
Someone to ride with me as destiny intends,
For I am deeply wary and seek a partner to journeys end,
We spoke for hours of what the future would portend,
We spoke in depth and in truth with no pretense or end,
She often laughed and smiled, at times with tears in her eye,
I smiled and laughed as she set my heart and thoughts on fire,
Wrapped in dusters and blankets we held each closely tight,
And looked into each other’s eyes in the dimming firelight,
I whispered into her ear I would know your name,
Esperanza she whispered quietly, if it’s all the same,
Copyright 2012
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