What Did You See? Poem by John Yaws

I caught your eye as I walked in the door.
It seemed you were staring at me.
And I had to wonder as you looked away,
I wonder, oh, what did she see?

You saw a big man, one no longer young.
His dark hair now well streaked with gray.
The scars and the wrinkles, those lines in his face,
They all have a whole lot to say.

The faded blue denims, and worn Ranger belt-
The boots, and the limp, and the hat…
You saw an old cowboy, an ex-hardcase, too,
And you wanted no part of that.

You saw the wariness in tired, brown eyes-
A hard set on his thin lipped mouth…
A man of the West, that much plainly shows,
The drawl has a hint of the South.

But did you see all the hurt deep inside?
The loneliness aching within?
And did you see all that strong, rebel pride…
That lies just beneath weathered skin?

And did you see, that glimmer of hope?
That flickered when you looked at me?
And died at it's birth, when you looked away-
Oh, tell me, girl, what did you see?