Take a Chance   One a.m. inside the circle K, clerk behind the counter bored and stocking bags of chips, thinking of his daughter married some guy a few years older there's pictures, home in a folder.   Guy comes in says, "Mister, which way to I-10?" makes him think about his wife, 'an how long's it been since they'd busted loose to take a midnight ride? Tilting back his cowboy hat, he thinks of her with pride.   Dream was riding horses to a desert rendezvous Spendin' time in Vegas with a skyhigh view. But life's tied up in routine, away from things like that crazy working hours make lifeline screened out flat.   Back in his early days he'd had time to take a chance on rodeo and cowboy life up at his granny's ranch. Seasonal work to learn, what generation's took as fact. But dreams of city life left his cowboy mirror cracked.   Now forty years had come and gone but he'd always shined his boots what ever trail he'd been on even when he'd worn real suits.   After work when he got home, he told his wife to pack some things to could visit the Western scene, and adventure that it brings. Perhaps they'd stop and see their daughter, to get a little cheer. Take one more ride through the steel and chrome frontier.

©Steve Dirksen