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Open Poetry #41
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A Cowboy Funeral
| Open Poetry #41 |
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A Cowboy Funeral |
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Gunslinger Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901TX, USA 
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A Cowboy Funeral We put him in the wagon- In a hand-made wooden box. Wearing his worn denims- His feet in holey socks. His hand-made boots were in his stirrups I guess that's only fitting- That's where he kept them 60 years, As a saddle he was sitting. But they were in there backwards, I'm really not sure why- That's just the way they face 'em, At a cowboy's time to die. A stiff new flag of Texas- Covered that raw wood. A lump came to my throat then- And I suppose it should. For we'd come to plant a cowboy, And trusted he'd found peace. As his days of punchin' cattle, And workin' hard had ceased. We were a rather rugged bunch- Who gathered round the hole. To bid farewell, and pay respects, The parting grieved our soul. We didn't have a preacher- Old Jack was first to speak- Said, "I recollect a wreck I had- Down on Sandy's Creek... If old Jake hadn't seen me, My future looked right dim, And he'd a said some words for me- 'Stead of me speakin' for him." Then Sam Monroe wiped his eyes, I'd guess some blowin' sand- Then said, "You know, it was old Jake- That helped me make a hand." Cody said, "He took me on- When drought had wiped me out. He taught me what compassion, And friendship's all about." Me being foreman made me wait- Until the very end- I picked me up a pinch of dirt, And said, "He was my friend. He taught me to know cattle- And how to peel a horse. And what was right, and what was wrong, And how to steer my course. To pay my bills and keep my word- And work from can to cain't. And tote my load and be myself, Not someone that I ain't. Of all the things you taught me- Ere we placed you 'neath the sod, I'm gladdest for the winter night, You introduced me to your God." |
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| © Copyright 2007 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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aziza Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy! |
I find myself opening all of the poems you post because they always touch me in some way or other. This one is no exception. It might be my favorite of yours - and that is why it goes to my library for safe keeping. I think it's very good and I thank you. Alison |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
The same as Aziza , I always read your work. This was exceptional."late" |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Moving this up a bit before it goes off the page. "late" |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice slice of a cowboys life and death as shared by friends...James |
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