Laredo on Range

This Western begins as so many do,

Sun setting on pasture, orangy hue.

A man from Texas; Laredo’s the name.

His story told straight; no pity or blame.

Home on the range, family completed,

In happy saddle, Laredo was seated.

 

But winter came with dark premonition,

Asked what he saw, he mumbled admission.

For in his right hand, he felt a slight tremor;

Knew in heart this day he’d remember.

 

Dropped it seems into twisting contraption.

Laredo emerged with a trembling action.

With body turned and constant shaking,

He bravely withstood this infernal quaking.

Cast out was Laredo from his former place,

With posture now stooped and woodeny face.

 

Oh why should Laredo receive such a fate?

The sins committed, O God please relate.

Why furthermore on such a good man

Should all of this woe and misfortune thus land?

Where is the justice, pray recount the crime,

To banish Laredo from his former time.

 

With Winter past but Spring not yet begun,

He wandered the prairie, our hero unsung.

With his crooked posture and shuffling feet,

He searched a posse with which to beat,

Give chase to the demon; make him retreat.

 

A certified trainer named Abraham

Observed Laredo; developed a plan.

Turned to Laredo; plainly he stated,

“Do what I say; see symptoms abated.”

 

Our hero, it seems, was still in denial

Not quite ready for his sweaty trial.

Laredo turned back; with hint of regret,

For his new life, was not ready yet.

 

So he continued; old ways had returned.

He misunderstood the life he had spurned.

Laredo was stuck in a quivering rut,

He refused to change or old ties to cut.

 

But life has a way of altering things,

One fateful night, to change it gave wings.

Holding his child while descending the stair,

Laredo tripped and launched through the air.

He forcefully landed; body crumbled.

The child was fine; Laredo was humbled.

 

Injured he in domestic collision,

In feverish dream had Foxy vision:

It whispered to Laredo while resting in bed:

“The demons worth fighting are those in your head.”

 

This aery fox to Laredo did give,

A deeper insight; a new way to live.

This illness, taught Fox, subsists on despair.

But withers on vine when hope’s in the air.

 

And so at long last, Spring finally arrived.

A plan of action, Laredo contrived.

With goals and friends and newfound ambition,

Now ready to face his trembling condition.

 

Our man Laredo is surprised to discover,

That exertion feels good; it helps him recover.

Through good days and bad our hero persists,

His body strengthens and even untwists.

 

Laredo on horseback, sunrise on range.

Grandchildren on route; much to arrange.

Before offering you his final goodbye,

Laredo turns, looks you straight in the eye.

He poses this question directly to you:

“What with your one precious life will you do?”