Gwen Petersen: In a Sow’s Ear 9-17-12
When I was young and full of fun
I dreamed about John Wayne.
In my heart of hearts, I had no doubts
That John was my loving swain.
In this summer past, I rode a stage at last
In an old-west wagon train.
My youthful dreams, oh how they seemed
To fill my mind again.
In my prairie dress I must confess
It felt like a warp in time.
I traveled by coach with other fine folk
We rode the Welles Fargo line.
Then suddenly there, oh this I swear
A horseman appeared on my left.
And a horse with no rider pulled up
on the right-er
(The saddle was quite bereft).
To the rider I exclaimed, “Are you insane!”
But he leaned from his saddle
And like flipping a page, the door of the stage
He opened with a mighty rattle.
Then he leaped inside and I uttered a cry
And gazed at him in wonder.
For it was John Wayne, my make-believe swain.
My heart began to thunder.
But the Duke didn’t stay I’m sorry to say
Only flung open the opposite door.
On the riderless steed, he leapt with speed
And I was forsaken once more.
I screeched a loud shout, “What was that
all about?
You’ve left me here in the lurch!
I thought you were fine, I thought
you were mine
Leaving me really hurts!”
I heard John reply e’er he commenced to ride
“It’s part of what I doooo …
My dear, it was nothing and I’m not bluffing,
’Tis only a stage I’m going throughhhh!”
And then I woke up … ❖