The Last Ride

The Last Ride

He trailed behind not saying a word
Emulating the man who rode the black
The boy sat proud on the buckskin he spurred
Staring intently upon his father's back

They trotted right through the aspen trees
Then down the gully and across the stream
The boy felt the chill of the cool night breeze
Then the warmth of bed, wakened from dream

No longer a boy, but a man full-grown
There beside him lay the love of his life
Together they lay, yet he felt so alone
For she could not feel his internal strife

He closed his eyes as he searched to find
The trail that led to the stream and beyond
Once again they rode, there in his mind
A father, a son and their unbreakable bond

No words were shared; there wasn't any need
For each knew this would be their last ride
He awoke once more, now able to concede
That the father he adored had died