Cow Boy
Alethea Paul
Mother said he could be anything.
So Daniel wanted to be a cowboy.
Mother thought of guns and dust and trouble. Cowboys traveled far from home, and got into fights. They were expected to pick themselves up by their bootstraps and not cry. When Daniel could be anything, why would he be something so lonely? So limited? So banal?
But she was the one reigned in by societal expectations. And Daniel, far more clever and openminded.
He dreamed of endless pastures and open skies. Of being surrounded by the herd, being part of something greater. Peaceful days. And eating grass.
Alethea Paul is a writer in stay-at-home mom’s clothing. Her first drafts are as messy as her floors, but she can cut through clutter to get to the point. Her writing was forged in the depths of internet role play forums and fanfiction. You find her @aletheapaul.bsky.social