The Apology, The poem came in rhymes so I left it that way. Options

[vessq]

THE APOLOGY

Did you ever step across a horse
In the chill before the dawn
And leave a woman wondering
How long you would be gone?

She'd know you were home
When she heard you at the door
You'd never even say
What pasture you were headed for.

Never thought that she might worry
When you stayed out way late
Maybe lay awake and listen hard
Trying to hear you at the gate

Did she think you might be laying hurt
From a cow wreck or a fall
And wonder where to go and look
Or which neighbor she should call?

You are gray as granite now and careful
No careless cowboy any more
And decide to ask forgiveness
For all the worry you caused her

Through a puzzled laugh, you hear her say
I slept right through the goofy things you'd do
Because when we both were twenty
I was immortal, just like you.

[vessq]

Thanks Merlin,

I am sure you are right about the lay lie comment. I will correct it in the next re-write.

The "step across a horse" is a fairly common usage. Not quite like, mounted my steed, but fairly common. Think about how you get on a horse. Left foot in the stirrup and then you step across.

I have had several horses knocked out from under me by an old cow. Usually one with a cancer eye so she is blind on one side. As a strong-headed child, I even had an Angus bull run under my horse when he turned to run blind from a sumo style bull fight. I had been told many time to stay away from the bulls when they are fighting. But it was fascinating to watch, so I got hurt.

Yeah, a collision between a half wild range cow and a man or child horseback qualifies as a cow wreck and is often so described in the cowboy world.

Thank you for your comments they are much appreciated.

vessq