Beautiful and Natural

did the owners take you from the fair
when they saw it in your eyes
there was something in your movement
back in those days
when all the men wore hats
all the scandals made headlines after that
you passed quietly in the pasture
you were beautiful and natural
and that’s all i ever had to know
as the dumb actors read their lines
they knew you’d be happier on a farm
you were real and the western town was not
you kicked him off the first time you heard the gun sounds
i heard they chased the lemmings off the ledge
saw that film not long after you were dead
the night the writers joined the union
i bet you never really understood
i tell you now, be glad you never would
the whole thing makes me sick for the future
may the glory of your picture always be
the only thing i ever see
the only pool i ever swim in