A.I. Writes a Cowboy Love Letter Using U.S. County Names

My Dearest Ida,

Morning on the frontier comes crisp and early as I wake to a long day

full of toil. As I break camp and heat my bacon and coffee on the fire,

my thoughts always scurry back to you, my lamb. I’ve recently heard

from the bureau about a ransom of 200 bucks being offered for a

runaway maverick miner turned gem crook, who fled to the highlands

and crossed the divide, bent to make the Canadian boundary. If it

weren’t for the cold winds and stark mountains, I’d traverse the

summit myself to chase down that hardy soul who lives in defiance of

the laws of the Republic.

I’ve spent many bland hours in the shade of a cottonwood on the

banks of Cache Creek, watching the swift antelope and majestic

buffalo ford the waters as they clinch their bond with the prairie. I've

even seen a rare elk or caribou licking at the water.The rains have

been kind this season, nurturing the alfalfa crop and filling the lake to

its brim. I always think of your gentle voice and loving smile as I work

under the barren sky.

I dare to dream of summers walking with you down the valley lane,

holding your hand, hearing the song of a jay in the forest and sharing

I a glass of bourbon as we converse. How I yearn to foster the rush of

that feeling again.

I long for the day God provides providence upon our union. Until then,

know that you are my treasure, my rosebud, and my heart’s desire.

With all my love, Emmet