Cowboy Bill
By Susan Hattendorf

At a quaint café dined a family of four.
While they ate, their gazes focused on the door
Hoping against hope that before they were through
In would walk a real live cowboy or two.

It was their vacation and part of the plan
Was to see if a cowboy was an ordinary man.
But soon they'd discover he was much, much more
Than the way he walked and the clothes that he wore.

He pulled up a chair and said how do you do?
My name is Bill and I like the looks of you.
What brings you out to this great place?
Are you tired of the city? Do you need open space?

We're on an adventure, we're searching for clues.
We want to find out what makes you, you.
The youngster's eyes were filled with delight
That real live cowboy was a marvelous sight.

Being a true cowboy is a state of mind
It's more than a job - kind of hard to define.
It's a way of life that goes beyond the chores.
It's always with you, there's no hiding behind doors.

The cow cares not that I'm done for the day
If she needs help, it'll be the barn where I stay.
The weather, my friend, is out of my hands
But still I worry, I pray, I do what I can.

Bill saw their looks and knew there was more
That he should say before he walked out the door.
I wish for a way to make you see clearly
What it is about this life that I love dearly.

There are the smells, the sights and the sounds.
There is the beauty in nature all year round.
The wildlife's abundant, the crowds are few.
I can't think of more a man needs, can you?

So it was in a café on that long-ago day
When the family of four decided to stay.
No ordinary man was that cowboy called Bill
He was a character, full of life and good will.