Cowboys Cry Too

COWBOY’S CRY TOO

A Saturday night dance, a gangly young boy,
Tight pinching new boots, and slicked back hair,
A pretty young girl, with bright, smiling eyes,
A question asked, with glorious returns,
Emotions kept checked, cause Cowboys don’t cry.

First child born, a bundle so dear,
My wife’s love, shown crystal clear,
The warmth and glow as new life begins,
Worry and pride and tears and mud pies,
But Dad holds it all in, cause Cowboys don’t cry.

Daughter’s first date, Son’s first razor cut,
Proud Daddy just watches, as his children grow up,
His Son, reachin’ for manhood, but not quite there,
But the need to reach, is what Daddy will share,
Pride in his kids, bursts out inside but held in check cause Cowboy don’t cry.

Life passes by, and age creeps inside,
Brown hair turns gray, back’s never as strong,
His Children see it coming, his Wife says slow down, But work mixes with pride at what he tries to get done,
The feeling inside knots at his gut, but it never shows, cause Cowboy don’t cry.

One day it happens, he just can’t go on,
O’ Lord, what happens now to my wife and my kids,
I won’t be here to watch over them, my strength is all gone,
The Lord whispers, “They’ll manage and life will go on.”
The feelings he’s had, have never shown, cause Cowboy’s just hold it in.
Please give me at least one more hour, my emotions to show,
My Son let me hold, my love let him know,
My Daughter’s a woman, let me tell her so,
My wife, my love, and my right hand has been,
Please God, let me show them just once, that Cowboy’s cry too.

Jim Kitchens
Marfa, Texas
2004