The Lone Ranger Poem by Robert Matte Jr.

for Clayton Moore

When they took away
your mask in 1979
You were reduced to wearing
wrap around sun glasses and
a blue outfit
three shades too light.

In '54 Dad brought
home that incredible
modern marvel
A Philco Television.
It's twenty-one inch screen
a salute to American
ingenuity.

Your show
the first I watched,
The Masked Man
Silver the horse
Tonto the faithful
companion.

The Lone Ranger's Creed:

"That a man should make the most
of what equipment he has."

"That all things change but truth,
and that truth alone, lives on forever."

My equipment eventually
produced two strong sons
who were given cowboy
names, and raised in
the cowboy nation
who were taught truth
that lives forever
whether they embrace it
or not.

In '86 I saw you
at a county fair
the mask restored
the outfit back to
its proper color.
Your voice quavered
your stance was unsteady
but the creed was pure
the stories were alive
and you will always be
my "kemo sabe."