Borrowed from Caffy's portfolio since it wasn't getting the attention it deserved. |
RED LATIGO REINS I remember the first day I lay eyes upon them I was impressed by the way they caught the noon sun I reached out, and, touching, ran my hands down the leather They were smooth and light; full of promise and fun. The smell was like fields and dust on the trails that caught in my heart like the way a shank sings. They bid me to follow, they encouraged me onward so I bought them, these never ending red leather things. I remember while riding that umpteenth trail how right was the feel, the weight like pure gold, and I felt like the cowboys holding the world by the mane as I loped and I trotted down canyons of old. They rhymed with the jingle of bit metal and bridle and they matched all the pictures of westerns I knew until the last hour which came unexpected; a surprise that came from out of the blue. I'll always remember that very last day when I took off the bridle for the very last time. How sad was the feel of rough, heavy leather all sweaty and dull and all out of rhyme. My trail had ended, the fun was all spent before long I'd come to the end of the plains, but I'll always think kindly of these sweet reminders of horses, and trails, and red latigo reins. |