A Lone Ranger

This developed from a true story about a guy in New Mexico. I was told it was a true story but you know how that goes.

A lone Ranger

I saw him at the diner
sippin’ coffee all alone;
a far off gaze to yesterday
and memories all his own.
“It must be 50 years”, he said,
“Since Buck and Ralph and me
formed a little white hat gang
like our heroes on TV.
Buck passed on in ’96.
We buried Ralph today
I’m the last of the white-hat gang;
my posse’s gone away.

Seems we’re losin’ all the heroes;
who taught us wrong from right
I feel like a lone ranger
but I’m just too old to fight

He stood up slow and waited
for his muscles to un-kink
put on that silver Stetson,
cocked his head and gave a wink.
In baggy jeans and Ropers
he shuffled toward the door.
Then paused a moment, turned around
and thought out loud once more

We’re losin’ all the heroes;
who taught us wrong from right
I feel like a lone ranger
but I’m just too old to fight

As we headed to his pick-up,
3 young men strutted by.
When they got beside us,
he looked each in the eye
and said “Y’all need silver Stetsons.
Look me up when you get back.”
See, these 3 desert cowboys
were headed to Iraq.

We may lose all those heroes
who taught us right from wrong.
But when one old posse leaves us
another comes along
that has our same respect for God,
the Flag and liberty,
full of courage and compassion
just like we used to be.
Then that old cowboy showed a smile
as tears began to fall
and said “I’m just an older ranger,
not a lone one after all.”

Jeff Hildebrandt ©2006