navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #20 » Ride or Bust
Open Poetry #20
Post A Reply Post New Topic Ride or Bust Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
John Yaws
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860
Texas

0 posted 2002-05-19 01:07 AM



Rolling west on Ninety-
Headed for Alpine…
Four straight weeks of buckin’ off-
Is all I left behind.

I mailed ahead my entries-
Back when I was flush.
I’m down to my last tank of gas-
I’ll either ride, or bust.

My Wrangler jeans are faded-
My boots are wearin’ thin-
My belly thinks my throat’s been cut,
Tonight I’d better win.

It’s been a long hard season-
I guess that’s all for us-
The rodeo’s all I have left…
I guess it’s ride or bust.

I cinch my bucking saddle
Down on a blue roan hide…
I settle down astraddle…
Then the chute gate opens wide.

I nail him in the shoulders-
I know I’ve marked him clean…
I’m spurring with his rhythm
He’s bucking high and mean…

I hear the buzzer sounding-
And the crowd is going wild.
I bail off cleanly, tip my hat…
I guess they like my style.

Eighty-four the judges say-
I finished in the dough…
I’ll ride again tomorrow-
Then I’ll head on down the road.

And when I call the wife tonight-
I know she’s gonna fuss…
She’d rather that I hung it up-
But knows I’ll ride or bust!

© Copyright 2002 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
janmew
Member
since 2001-10-27
Posts 134
Canada
1 posted 2002-05-19 01:15 AM


Love your style Gunslinger, the story tellin gets to me every time. I like this piece. It's true with many things in life, not just rodeo, that when it gets in your blood you just can't shake it. My dad was a farmer, snd though he bought a house in town to "retire in" my mother always knew he'd likely "die in the barnyard".

Jan

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #20 » Ride or Bust

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary