Bucket List

by Abby Staberg

“She said I’m looking for a cowboy to take me for a ride.” (Cowboy Man, Lyle Lovett, 1986)

I rode a horse and only once because
it was the scariest thing on my bucket list
compared with those easier to achieve
like wearing a red dress to a party
which I’d already done.

I’ve paddled rapids flown in a two-seater Cessna
seen Arizona desert from a hot air balloon
fallen in and out of love a million times
with men women whisky and wine
cheated on them all.

After my horse ride I bought a wide-brimmed hat
kept it on a shelf in the hallway closet
I tried to rein things in but couldn’t
so I got real good at letting them go
even when it hurt.

I’m sitting on the front porch listening to Lyle Lovett songs
those rowdy celebrations and mournful laments
prairie-wide tales of a country boy
living fast and hard and honest
in wild west America.

I’ve milked a cow until the pail was sloshing and steamy
still feel a twinge at the smell of fresh manure
someday I’m gonna wear that dusty Stetson
learn to lasso write a country song
find myself a rodeo.