The Rancher

The Barkley Odes -- One

by Lindabrit

Mercurial as a shooting star,
swift to anger, slow to tire,
hair as dark as a raven's wing,
renowned for mighty voice and ire.

That glinting grin, that joyous smile,
the hazel eyes that flash with fire.
An effervescent zest for life,
a man of passion and desire.

Ramrod straight, with military bearing,
strong and powerful, tall as a tree
staunch and true, afraid of nothing,
he's everything a man should be.

Yet, behind the indomitable facade,
lies a nature kind and good.
Truly noble, soft and gentle,
though sometimes misunderstood.

He captured my heart in the 1960's
and decades on, he has it still.
In the valley of my imagination,
Nick Barkley still rides at will.

~