To John Wayne on His Death Bed
Or Forever After a Good Cry
6/30/01
I’m sorry, John.
Goddammit, I tried so hard too.
But I just can’t get it.
Man, I’m sorry if I let you down.
But for one sweet tear.
I almost had it.
The swagger I steeled pretty good.
The impatient, ‘I mean business’ expression
I showed no fear
Man, I was good.
I damn near had it.
But for one sweet tear.
The people flocked from far and near
Hoping to touch the hand that blessed so easily
With tough, firm, rugged, individualistic nicotine stains
from the ever present Marlboro,
and that damn saddle slung over my back.
I was there man.
But for one sweet tear.
So now the bitter and the sweet
And the lie falls down—dead.
But for one sweet tear—O Sweetest of Tears
--------Larry Walker
