The last cowboy

It was late afternoon, when he came out of his tent dressed in a blue jeans, boots, a checked shirt and a large, warm brown jacket. He had a red kerchief around his neck, a slight stubble and of course the unmistakable hat. He stood outside the door, looking at the sprawling pine forest in front of him. It had snowed, so the the forest was a mix of green and a pure white. His horse stood in a corner, quietly in a corner. The silence got louder with a light snowfall starting again. He stretched himself, put out the fire, and then walked towards his horse, untying him. In a jiffy he was atop the pale white, shy looking animal he called "mystery".

Mystery started with a canter, heading slowly towards the forest. Once inside, he looked from side to side; there were pines; huge pines; trees with pointed, snow splattered leaves...he continued to canter through them. Somewhere in between, when he could see neither the road behind him, nor a way in front; he stopped...the stillness in the air, was unbearable.... He looked around, and then directly above him...the sun was slowly going down. He looked straight ahead, but did not move...mystery was confused, at his master's ways.

His mind went back to the universe he had left behind...to his love...his friends...and to her........
He stood there motionless, in the company of the pines and the slow shower of snow...the warmth of what he had bid adieu to...behind him....way behind him....he couldn't even see the road behind...

The gentle splash of a trickle falling on his hand, startled him...and snapped him out of his dream. He was in the forest...deep in the forest. He buried his face in his hands.....

This was enough....he said suddenly....he had allowed himself to indulge too much....!

He wiped of the tears, adjusted his hat, and then galloped away into the sunset...he was the last cowboy...after him there would be none...