THAT CHARLIE GRIN

by Stan Countz

He loved to hunt; he was a mountain man
When he shook your hand – you knew it
But he couldn’t fish worth a damn
And if you fibbed– he saw through it

His favorite singer was Johnny Cash
He had his name carved on his belt
He wore a handlebar mustache
And told you just how he felt

Loved the smell of mountain air
A cup of coffee on a cold night
Trackin’ mountain lion and bear
And a good clean fight

He told great jokes
Just to make folks laugh
And his stories were just a kick
For many years, he smoked two packs
A day but I’m glad to say – he quit

He was fond of the ladies
Especially blondes
Loved puppies and babies
Rivers and ponds

Drove a truck; not a Mercedes
But now his keys are gone
He never made it to eighty
But he loved Ding Dongs

If I’d owned a magic wand
I’d have made him better
But his days of pain are gone
And he will live forever

In our hearts and memories
He’ll walk on golden streets
And one day we'll meet again
He'll ask us how we've been
And flash that Charlie grin