The Cowboy's Eyes

I'm just an old cowboy he'd say

broken down in my younger days

I gave away the best of me

Now all I have left is what you see

His worn down boots had traveled miles

but I knew he still had dreams

I saw tenderness, a warm smile

in a man with a world yet to see

And I saw happiness, for a little while

as his eyes studied me

I saw years of honest living

in the roughness of his hands

I knew he'd done his share of giving

and rearranging plans

His eyes told me the important things

about this gentle, caring man

I said I hoped we'd meet again

and noticed he looked surprised

He thought he'd lost what I'd want of him

but I saw what was left inside

I saw wisdom that couldn't be disguised

in the lines around the cowboy's eyes.

Comments: 20

Aileen F. Jun 24, 2006, 10:17pm EDT

I liked thism Sandy! I think he needs you to show him what he still has to offer.

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Pam F. Jun 24, 2006, 10:48pm EDT

Sandy... I hope he is real for you! Great Poem

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Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jun 24, 2006, 11:53pm EDT

He was real for me. Jake published a picture today that looked just like him, but I'm sure it isn't him. Years ago, after I hadn't seen this guy in at least a year, my boss called me into her office to tell me she had bad news. She said a woman had called there, told her this guy was in intensive care, not expected to live through the day, and his 'last wish' was to see me. I left work, rushed to the hospital where I was greeted by his huge family, none of whom I had met before, and escorted to his side. I sat with him as long as they allowed and left, thinking I would never see him again. A week later I saw him on the street. I've never seen him again.

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Madame Donna C. Jun 25, 2006, 12:21am EDT

Sandy, great poem and quite a commentary you have here. I hope you have read Eric L's piece too...well worth it. Must be cowboy time around these parts.

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Safi Abdi Jun 25, 2006, 5:44am EDT

Sandy,
Wonderful sentiments here, how many of us would truly pass the surface and look within?
You've come a long way, girl:)

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lea and... c. Jun 25, 2006, 10:20am EDT

Sandy, you remind me of my cowboy. At times we see this person inside that just can be who it should, the heart is a bird in a cage, it knows how to fly but it can't.

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Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jun 25, 2006, 11:36am EDT

exactly, Lee! Love the analogy. And Safi, I am definately an 'inside' looker. That's where the real beauty and the biggest surprises are.

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Carol Voigts Jun 25, 2006, 4:35pm EDT

funny how people think they can hide who they really are. Most of the time we get who they are though, from little things they say.

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Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jun 25, 2006, 4:36pm EDT

Exactly, Carol. I just tried to explain this in reverse on another article, where people are debating dressing for depth.

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Plain ol' Becky S. Jun 25, 2006, 9:30pm EDT

This was beautiful Sandy.
It reminds me of something. : )
Thanks.

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Layne Underwood Jun 25, 2006, 9:57pm EDT

I could easily picture him... and he was naked.

Nice work!

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Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jun 25, 2006, 9:58pm EDT

Dang, Layne. I spent a year or so with this guy and never saw him naked. Here you go on the first night! I'm jealous.

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Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jun 25, 2006, 9:59pm EDT

Becky, glad I could jostle that memory ;-)

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Summer Foovay Jun 26, 2006, 4:45am EDT

Sounds like an ol' cowboy who was a very special man in my life. Not like that, girls, minds out of the gutter. Tho he left me with a lingering fondness for cowboys.

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0000-dashiell5-0000 Jun 26, 2006, 6:55am EDT

Like it. And it's a rhyming poem yet. Still like it. (Rides off into sunset...)

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Nancy S. Jun 26, 2006, 4:26pm EDT

I love this! It's 4:30 on Monday, and I can't believe I just got to this one. I'm glad I didn't delete it. Too many emails, too little time.....
Cowboys are one of my favorite things!

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Barbara S. Jun 28, 2006, 3:31pm EDT

Wow! How did I miss this when it was first posted? In your piece, I can hear how important the two of you were to one another. And reading your comment about his ICU visit, I feel even more strongly.
Any chance you can find him? No one ever has too many friends, do they?

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Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jun 28, 2006, 3:45pm EDT

Barbara, I've wondered the same thing since I brought this back out. I also remembered another good story I might write about one of his friends. They were really a nice group of people, and you're right, we can never know too many nice people. Thanks for reading and commenting.

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