"Long Ride" by Pop Wagner
   for Sean Blackburn

We had talked about a long ride.....
Pack horses, tents and all.....
Near Cody, say, in springtime
Or the Badlands come some fall.
 
I'd come out from Minnesota
And you from Denver way.
We'd trailer in and then ride out
For twelve or fourteen days.
 
We never talked specifics
As we planned and dreamed this way.
So, as dreams our plans remained,
Because we never named the day.
 
Oh, we'd ride North Table Mountain
When I was in your neighborhood
And the Gateway Trail back my way
And those day trip rides were good.
 
Our saddle time together
Occupies my memory still,
But we never took that long ride, Friend,
And now we never will.
 
You rode on ahead without me
And I sure don't blame you, Pard,
But it's lonesome in your absence
And I miss you pretty hard.
 
But here's a thought that comforts me
And warms me deep inside.
You can meet me with our pack string
When I cross that Great Divide.