Steven Fromholz: New and Selected Poems

The Last Livin’ Outlaw

-27The Last Livin’ Outlaw You just might encounter his mangy old carcass And he might look a million and he might look like hell, In a beer joint in Beaumont or at Neiman Marcus, His lawyer allows how he cleans up quite well. He lives by his wits and his wiles and his ways, He lives with his memories etched on his face, He may live forever And he may live for days. He’s the last livin’ outlaw, he’s the last rolling smoker, Sees life kind of southpaw, he’s a nocturnal joker. His best friends are barmaids, he’s a pawnbroker’s pal. Let’s drink to the last livin’ outlaw! He knows all the back roads from here to Kentucky From haulin’ those lovely colitas and bales. He was contraband careful, uncommonly lucky ’Til a judge replaced smuggling with two years in jail. He’s wise to the ways of turnpikes and diners, From spending his days In a red/white Freightliner, From Tulsa to Memphis to North Carolina. He’s the last livin’ outlaw; he’s a sixties survivor He’s still got a quick draw, he’s an old diesel driver. He still loves the highway—it left him alive! Let’s roll with the last livin’ outlaw! He’s a honky tonk hero and always a gentleman. He’s just a rake and the ladies are leaves. He’s been married once . . . has a daughter named Gwendolyn, She sends him letters—he rarely receives. -28He ’s a hit with the ladies, he can dance on a horse. He doesn’t fear fightin’ but avoids it of course. Well, he once loved his wife— Probably loved mine and yours! He’s the last livin’ outlaw, he’s a Friday night dancer, He’ll soon be a grandpaw; he’s a lifetime romancer. The ladies all love him for the light in his eyes— Let’s drink to the last livin’ outlaw! Copyright © 2002 StevenFromhholz Esteban Publishing (ASCAP) ...