Red River - Lonesome Valley

From the recollections and letters of Josiah (Joe) Journeymaine.

    A flickering campfire calls the hungry drovers.

Settling, saddle weary upon tack, chewing over

Daily rations of beans, beef, biscuits and trail dust.

An economy of words, thoughts, like cast iron, rust.

Coffee grounds, he sits down a little distant, not too far.

Wagon shadows the fire, eyes wander into the stars.

From this valley they say you are going.

They say... never imagined it would come, this day.

I thought you liked the place, prairie hay, crimson valley way.

Yes, we were young, dreaming, starting small, just us two.

Rich and fertile, and ideal spot, just for me and you.

Foundation line traced cheeks, happy garden spots.

Imagination's a fearsome thing, unshared, it rots.

We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile,

I thought it was lonely out here on the trail.

Whooping it up, shooting up the town, landing in jail.

That fancy saloon, where you came to dance and take

Your chances at cards, fortune and fame, little swan, big lake.

Got to put it gently aside, lay it to rest.

I'll put on a big smile, see you off, wish you the best.

For they say you are taking the sunshine

Clouds coming in from the north, could be a Chinook.

A little thunder, it's no wonder a herd gets spooked.

Little clouds can make big shadows over anything.

I'm sorry I didn't have enough to buy you that ring.

This job doesn't pay bankers wages, just a bit less.

But, I would have gone without, lots, to buy you that dress.

That has brightened our pathway a while.

Perhaps another will come along, I doubt it.

I was never a gambler, luck runs in starts and fits.

Not a cheater either, not how my cloth is cut.

I'll think fondly on our time together, muddy ruts.

Always wonder if it was something I did,

Or didn't do, but always, always I'll remember you.

c

Author's Note

Reviews

[Frieda P]

Power packed with emotion, this scene unfolded before my eyes..I always did see cowboys as lonely creatures, more in tune with nature than human beings it seems, maybe it was John Wayne's influence, I don't know really.

I think she'll always remember you too....'But I would have gone without, lots, to buy you that dress' a bittersweet notion that cuts to the core of this piece.

[Tam Warink]

Thank you, Frieda. I think even the "lone wolf" will (eventually) seek out a mate. However, there is no guarantee that nature will fulfill that longing, that desire. Nature can be like that, can't she?

[Frieda P]

It's a toss up Tam, nature, women, we can both be b*****s....was my pleasure, truly.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

I enjoyed this Chuck Wagon story within this write! The uniqueness Is awesome. The imagery was prefect that it too me right along in your poem. The love story bitter sweet.

[Tam Warink]

Thank you for reading, i101.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

You are welcome!

[KAREN]

Tells an awesome story. Great imagery that sent me back in the western days.

[Tam Warink]

Thank you for reading, storiestotell. It was a long shot as not many people have "western" contexts these days.

[KAREN]

I enjoyed it!

[MomzillaNC]

Such lonesome words that set the soul adrift.

[Tam Warink]

I would think that we all are, at times, a "soul adrift." Thanks for reading, Momz.

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome. "Soul Adrift… " seems you've found yourself a fabulous title for another poem! :D

[Pryde Foltz]

Clouds coming in from the north, could be a Chinook
A little thunder, it's no wonder a herd gets spooked
Little clouds can make big shadows over anything
I'm sorry I didn't have enough to buy you that ring
This job doesn't pay bankers wages, just a bit less
But I would have gone without, lots, to buy you that dress

As a prairie girl myself --- who has moved to the rainforest, better for the complexion --- this piece really struck a chord with me. As a child I saw the Red River overflow its banks and as a teenager, I eagerly awaited the next chinook to deliver me from the cold. The thing about the high grass and big skies … you either want to settle down and become one with the land … or the Rockies beckon and the ocean calls. Some like to climb and sail and some like to mosey.

minus 100 summer mosquitos/minus 100 windchill x 100 chinook arches.

[Tam Warink]

I must have been channeling your past. It was rather emotional, to say the least. Thanks, Pryde.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

such a lonesome cowboy...i like how you have pretty much two poems together as one...the italicized lines work as a separate piece.

"rockabye sweet baby james" comes to mind"

"his horse and his cattle are his only companions" at least now...yes.

a journey back to the old West...such a pleasure this was to read.

even in its sadness.

i'm not a cowboy myself, but the universality in this..."was it something i did?"
i could relate to that.

[Tam Warink]

Thanks, Jacob. There are all kinds of "cowboy." Don't sell yourself short. ;-)