Innocent

Tipton can’t find his way back home

After twenty-eight years on the run

Doesn’t want to end his life alone

He looks west toward the setting sun.

He didn’t shoot that man in Reno

Even though Johnny says he did

Made his way to Johnson’s Ranch

Up in the old mercury mine he hid.

Followed the mighty Rio Grande

Lived with outlaws on the Texas side

Driven wild by his own innocence

Heading home because his mother died.

The funeral was small, a brother and sister

They knew he was coming, he just had to go

North across Texas and New Mexico

To the little town of Kim in east Colorado.

Last prayer and sadness hanging still

On the hill silhouetted by the setting sun

Walking slowly toward her grave

Handed the county sheriff his empty gun.

2010 © Dayvid Graybill