Red Steagall: New and Selected Poems

To An Old Friend

-66To An Old Friend I stood by the fountain as they brought him in. A lost lonely look on his face. I ain’t never seen him in nothin’ but boots. The wheelchair shore seemed out of place. It took him a while to recall who I am, but confusion turned into a grin. It was tho’ we were saddled up, ready to ride The Hackberry Pasture again. He laughed as he said, “I remember the time, That yeller bronc swallered his head, And pitched you so high that you turned over twice. Me’n Benny Bob swore you was dead.” He looked up at me and asked, “How is old Ben?” I lied and said, “He’s doin’ fine.” No need to remind him his brother was gone. Ben died back in seventy-nine. For most of an hour we rode at a trot. We branded and shaped up the steers, Drank gallons of coffee, ate sourdough bread, and cowboyed for fifty-one years. I thot he’s an old man when I was a kid, At a time when I needed a friend, He took me to raise, taught me all that I know, ’Bout horses and cattle and men. My daddy had died and I needed a job. I’se big for a kid of fifteen. They put me to work on the four 6s Ranch. Was dumb as a gourd and as green. -67We ’s lookin’ for strays in the Wichita Breaks Was me and John Gaither and him I lost sight of John so I’se lookin’ around ’A daydreamin’ there on the rim. Rode up on some cattle hid out in the brush A two-year-old steer come by me, Throwed a nine in his tail and cut a new trail Right out through them salt cedar trees. I took in behind him a givin’ it hell The colt I was ridin’ was green I thot to myself, he ain’t getting away This roan is a running machine. Was goin’ full bore when we got to the bank The stream wasn’t wide as my hat I nearly pulled up, but I thot, What the Hell I’ve jumped rivers wider than that. I bogged that old pony plumb up to his gut Was wallerin’ and thrashin’ around He’s goin’ down deeper with each desperate lunge Me prayin’ he’d find solid ground. Just at the moment that I heard his voice A rope appeared right by the roan “Get outa that kack and hang on to my line The colt’ll get out on his own.” I’ve crossed that old river a many a time I’ve found me a bog once or twice. But I still remember that thirty-foot rope And this cowboy piece of advice. -68- “When you ride the river, son, make sure your horse Is gentle and seasoned as well. ’Cause only the good ones will get you across. That quicksand goes clean down to hell.” I got up to leave and he reached for my hand. Said, “Son, I’m sure glad you dropped by. If you see old Ben, have him saddle my horse, I hate sittin’ waitin’ to die.” His voice started crackin’, he swallered and said “I’m nearin’ the end of my ride If I cross the river before you get there, I’ll leave a good horse on this side.” 1990 ...