A poem by Dan Gray, Arizona Cowboy

USED, LIKE AN OLD PIANO PLAYED FOR GENERATIONS, SLOWLY FADING OUT OF TUNE.

USED, LIKE THE SOLES ON THE BOTTOM OF MY FAVORITE PAIR OF DANCING SHOES.

            I KNOW I AM NOT SOME BRIGHT AND SHINY, POLISHED UP CAR THAT'S SPARKLING NEW, RIGHT OFF THE SALES ROOM FLOOR.

 I KNOW I GOT SOME DENTS AND BRUISES.

I BEEN DROPPED AND THERE'S A SCAR WHERE MY HEART WAS BROKE BEFORE, BUT IN THE END I'LL BE WORTH A WHOLE LOT MORE.

USED, LIKE A BOOK READ SO MANY TIMES, FRONT TO BACK IT STARTS TO SPLIT IN TWO.

USED, LIKE A HOUSE WHERE A FAMILY LIVED UNTIL THEY DIED, AND THERE'S A SOUL IN EVERY ROOM.

I KNOW I'M NOT A BRAND NEW DRESS, HANGING THERE PERFECTLY PRESSED, THAT'S NEVER BEEN WORN BEFORE.

I'VE GOT SOME BUTTONS MISSING AND THERE'S A COUPLE STAINS, AND PLACES WHERE THE FABRIC HAS BEEN TORN, BUT IN THE END I'LL BE WORTH A WHOLE LOT MORE.

USED, THIS FRAGILE HEART’S BEEN PASSED AROUND, BEEN IGNORED, AND BEEN LET DOWN.

BEEN LEARNING SINCE THE DAY I WAS BORN, BUT EVERYTHING I BEEN THROUGH, HAS LED ME DOWN THIS ROAD TO YOU, I CAN GIVE LIKE I NEVER GAVE BEFORE, AND IN THE END I CAN LOVE A WHOLE LOT MORE.

I KNOW I'M USED, BUT MY LOVE FOR YOU IS FOREVER MORE

Editor’s note: Dan Gray ranches on Lazy Eye Bar N Ranch with his family in northern Arizona.