Love Poem: About a Crossing On the Red River
Larry Bradfield Avatar
Written by: Larry Bradfield

About a Crossing On the Red River

There are men of great strength and courage of length
In a place called Texas out west
I've seen good men shudder with knees turn to butter
When gunmen unbutton their vest

But the oddest I saw came down from Arkansas
Lookin' for a Redhaired stranger
He rode a big Roan that stood fifteen hands alone
Didn't care a twit 'bout danger

Well, I tipped my hat and he nodded at that
Told me what he came here to get
Said a redhead crossed the water with his youngest daughter
An' one of 'em was gonna get wet

I pointed to the shade where the redhead laid
Said he'd been here most of the day
The man with the Roan walked over alone
Said, "You made good time on the way"

The redhead said, "Yep, each a painful step.
I sensed that you was takin' it slow"
"I would have told you she's spoiled but your gun was oiled -
I figured you didn't need to know"

The redhead said "Let it go , I'll ride off real slow.
Ain't no point in losin' my liver"
Well they tipped their hat and that was that
They left that gal by the river.

So if you're down this way and on the Red one day
There's a saloon just where you crossed
The owner's short on class but full of sass
She'll tell you of the Redhead she lost

8-13-2020
Contest: Strand Completely New (22)
Sponsor: Brian Strand