~The Stranger~

The prairie wind was cutting
as they rode into the gale.
In search of any tumbleweed
that's sent to tell a tale.

A dog named Shadow by his side
astride a horse named Fate.
A trail of messages his guide
to find a girl named Kate.

The messages were tied with rags
and sent by tumbleweed.
Each note put in his saddlebags
tied to his sturdy steed.

She wrote "I need assistance,"
a widow left by fate.
A meager sad existence,
and that her name was Kate.

He knew he had to find her,
this young woman left alone.
Her messages were too obscure
to help him find her home.

Her man had left to get supplies,
and he had not returned.
What happened was a mystery,
his fate she never learned.

The prairie is a lonely place,
and sometimes unforgiving.
He wonders if she has survived
the hard life she was living.

Shadow found a tumbleweed,
the note attached was new.
She said "I am in dire need
and know not what to do."

Shadow grew excited then,
for he had found the trail.
The Stranger was delighted,
knowing then they didn't fail.

The next hill was the last one,
her homestead he could see.
The search he could abandon,
for he had heard her plea.

It was happy ever after for,
The Stranger, Shadow and Fate,
The world was filled with laughter,
because of a girl named Kate.


(c) June 14, 2012