The One That Got Away

A cowboy with too much free time
When his chores are fully caught up
Often sets to some ponderin'
Maybe broodin' some in his cup

I expect lots of us cowboys
Have an old flame locked in our heart
Maybe the one who got away
That might'a been love from the start

It's true I have an old heart knot
Stashed down in my memory sack
Seems she still occupies a space
In my melancholy "look-back"

Oh she was indeed a beauty
Flowing hair and sweet pretty face
Full of spunk and spirit and strength
As she would move with fluid grace

That time I first laid eyes on her
She walked like floating on a cloud
Head high, eyes all captivating
She was the quintessence of proud

As if it was only last week
I even recall what she wore
A silk-like gold coat with a sheen
And old-soul, brown eyes to adore

I knew I had to have her then
It was love right there at first sight
But she always shied far from me
As if I’d given her a fright

Despite all that she’d stare at me
Captivating me with her eyes
But she never wanted me close
Those teasing looks were merely lies

So that set the come-on challenge
The gauntlet thrown down then and there
This siren female taunting me
With her focused defiant stare

I'd watched her dance and prance
To a tune heard only by her
She was poetry in motion
With meter and rhyme to infer

Still I never became deterred
Chasing her with resolute will
I knew once she got to know me
We'd form us a love to fulfill

But the closest I ever got
To that ol' heartthrob love of mine
Was when I tossed my loop at her
And she quick-ducked under my twine

I never engaged that lady
Though she seemed an answer to prayer
To this day I still dream of her
That once in a lifetime gold mare

by Rik "Yonder" Goodell
© 2025 All rights reserved

This painting, by Gregory Mayse, looks to me like "one getting away!"

For more of this artist's work, go to his website:

"Running Wild" by Gregory Mayse