Western Slinger Makes a Home


Never received a letter from you Shirley
till the one I got today.
Thought it was strange it coming this late
and after all the ones I sent
and left on the posts here
if you were to look to find me.
You left something short
and not much about our child.
Something in me says he or perhaps she
didn't have long in this world.
I've made a home now.
Not like the one you'd expect:
with a wife and wee ones.
I've come to live here alone
waking with the sun
and working
on the land and on myself.
After the first days I bought a mirror
and never did I see a fright.
I was god awful and wondered how you loved this man
and I shaved and cleaned these clothes.
Still trying to learn to sew
but that was always woman's work
till now.
I don't know if your heart's finally gone soft
or if your trying to soften my fall
but I won't make wanton and beg.
The sun is up early again tomorrow
and I've alright said my goodnights.
So it's best I sleep now and save this for a better time to send.


-Matthew Koutzun


To the man I walk forwards backwards for.


Continuation from:
Western Slinger Walking Backwards