Hometown Hero (Joiner 1993)

Tribute to John Wayne

You know, I've always liked the cowboys,
and the war heroes,
Men like Roy Rogers, Audie Murphy,
and who could forget John Wayne?

John Wayne, as American as baseball,
a living legend in his time,
He carried a torch for America brighter than
the lights of Dallas,
And stood as imposing as the Statue of Liberty.

John Wayne-- a symbol of America.

John Wayne, with a slow halting roar saying:
"America! You ask my why I love her?"

John Wayne, three-fourths of his life spent entertaining
children on the silver screen,
causing their mamma's hearts to skip a beat,
earning their dad's respect,
and grandma and grandpa would say:
"They don't make men like that anymore!"

THE END has flashed a final time
(and so many of us still grieve)
But as long as film survives
the White Hat cowboys will live on--
And who could forget John Wayne?

Beverly Hearn Cook