"THE BILL"

It started one night at the Blue Shoe Saloon

The boys were in town ahowlin’ at the moon

Cowboys’ ahollerin’ and raisin’ holy hell

Seein’ who could cuss the longest and make the wildest yell

A little old gentleman sat clear at the other end

Was kinda on the quiet side and really didn’t fit in

He mumbled something to himself and slowly sipped his beer

If he’d been there any other night, he’d been trembling in fear

One loud obnoxious cowboy sauntered over his way

And asked him rudely if he was out to play

He said, “My son, I’m really tired” and just before he turned

Told that young cowpoke how he watched the orphanage burn

“ We put the kids in tents tonight, but it’s been mighty cold

Afraid there aint no money left that’s just what I’ve been told”

Well that young cowboy turned and slowly walked away

After his next drink decided not to stay

One had to check the herd, another fix some fence

The rest just went on home, the atmosphere was tense

The night ended early and on a sour note

The old man looked around, then reached to grab his coat

The bartender, a powerful man, reached for his hand

Then gave him a little poke sealed in a little can

He said, “There isn’t much, its just all I got

If there’s more I can do, please don’t forget to stop”

The old man wandered out into the night and found a quiet place

He said, “Oh Lord, life’s been hard, but this is tough to face”

It was a cold and lonely night but still he got some sleep

The morning entered quietly, didn’t seem to make a peep

Then all at once all hell broke lose, He scrambled out of bed

Took a peek out side the flap, reached up and scratched his head

The cowboys were everywhere with lumber, nails and beams

Where everyone had gathered from no one knew it seems

They’d had to ride all through the night to gather up this crew

Every single one of them knew just what there was to do

They laughed and sang and drove those nails oh what a cheery bunch

While the men were slingin’ hammers, the woman were fixin’ lunch

The kids had quite a time being out and playing free

They were in and out of everything even up the trees

When the last nail was hammered home

The house was grand with room to roam

The sound of little feet would echo through the years

The walls would vibrate with their laughter and cheers

When they gathered together to tally up the bill

The old man was sittin’ quietly just yonder up the hill

The cowboys wandered off a bit and with sticks scratching in the dust

You could here the banter while they bickered and discussed

It must have been an hour before they came his way

The old man had no clue of what they’d have to say

The note he got was folded tight and oh so small

His hands were damp and trembling as he opened up this ball

The cowboy stepped forward, said “nothing more and nothing less”

The note read paid in full, Merry Christmas and God Bless

Larry H Dudley
In Loving Memory of Nellie Zook

This poem may not be reprinted without the authors permission.