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Though Freckles is an angel now,
he ain't forgot his friends.
He drops to earth and hangs around
 behind the buckin' pens.
He pulls a rope or just makes sure
a rider gets bucked free.
So I took it as an honor,
the day he spoke to me...



"I saw you ride your bull today.
You sure did yourself proud.
You had him by the short hairs,
 I could feel it in the crowd!"
"I really should be thankful
that I even stayed aboard.
You could'a done it better, Freckles..
I'm lucky that I scored!"
"Hey don't be puttin' yourself down!
You know you did okay.
The time will come when you look back
and hunger for today
When everything was workin' right
 and judges liked your style,
Your joints were smooth, your belly flat
and girls liked your smile.
"Cause in between the best you rode
and the last one that you'll try
You'll face your own mortality
and look it in the eye.

There ain't no shame admittin'
you ain't what you used to be,
The shame is blamin' Lady Luck
when Father Time's the key!
So if they know you came to ride
and always did your best
Then hang your ol' spurs up with pride,
'cause that's the acid test
And, say some gunsel
offers you a 'Geritol on Ice,'
Just grin 'im down,
'cause you don't have to ride Tornado twice!"

©Cowboy Poetry © Baxter Black