A new one fer ya'll, dedicated to Forty Rod

[RollingThunder]

Lately, I've been stuck consternatin' on the three R's. Ridin' Ranchin, and 'Ritin. Forty Rod sent me a really neat comment by Charles M. Russell (I'm sure we all know the name), and it sorta jogged somethin' loose.

It's pert near rough, so go easy.

Soon as I get this posted, I need to get back over to the West thread and keep readin' -- add that to the R's, doncha know.

I Was a Cowboy Once
Roland Millington, Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved

I was a cowboy once. I rode across the dirt beneath your wheels.
Rode my hoss and chased the cows with jinglin' spurs 'pon my heels.

I was a cowboy once. Rarely restin' whether in cold or heat.
Now here I sit, in a chair, tied to a rail by a sheet.

Nurses pass me by, families with children visitin' their kin
"Look at me!" 's all I ask with my eyes, and from my soul within

I cry, "I wasn't always feeble and frail, I was a mighty good hand.
I could rope and I could ride. I could do the work of any ten men."

Now I sit. In a chair. Tied to a rail by a sheet. And why?
I once rode broncs and bulls, sat them tough, and spurred them high.

I faced a thousand deaths, and laughed at 'em each time.
But they left me here in disgrace, by a bedsheet I am tied.

I gots no bullets no more. They done took all my guns.
My ponies are dead and gone, and I'm danged sure short on sun.

Once so proud, you see the scars and creases on my face.
Don't you see, as you walk by, every spot, every place?

Everywhere I rested, I brought a little with me.
Everywhere I laughed and cried, are here for you to see.

But you won't look. Your ma says, "Boy, jes look away."
"Forget that ole cowpoke," I'll be gone for sure some day.

But remember me, young un. Remember and be proud.
I'm the one, who fed the many. I'm the one who chased the cow.

I'm the one who bled for Mother West and her sister Precious Freedom.
And in your heart, I know some day, I'll see another sun.

Listen to me boy, hear my hearts deepest request.
Don't forget about this old cowpoke, remember me the best.

And maybe be a cowboy once. Ride with spurs upon your heels.
Ride a hoss and chase a cow, so you know just how it feels.

To be a cowboy. Once.

Adios!

[Tensleep]

OUTSTANDING!!!



WHOOP!

[Leo Tanner]

Dang, ma allergies must be actin up again.  That was freakin beautiful.

[Arcey]

Choked me all ta hell.

Thunder, if I were you I'd run on down ta Saddlebag Tales 'n show 'em how it's done.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Very nice, pard.

Slim

[Lucky Irish Tom]

Outstanding, that one really gets to ya Thunder!

[litl rooster]

dang dust...................good un'[

[RollingThunder]

You know, I shoulda known better than to post this an NOT click on the notify button, dadgum it!

Glad ya'll liked it. But ... uh ... what's the Saddlebag Tales? Little green here, could ya fill me in on that?

[Arcey]

Click the link 'n there she is, right here in Cas City.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/board,59.0.html

[RollingThunder]

Done did, and did it 'til it was done! Thanks for the bird-dog on that Arcey! Looks like lotsa good readin' in them thar threads. Best get my spectacles cleaned up.

[Arcey]

Sometimes my windshield is cleaner'n my specs. Heh, heh.

Not a problem, that's why the Marshal hired me. 

[El Peludo]

Dayum, Thunder, somethin' jus' punched me in the gut.  That is good, and I am saving it to file and going to make a nice artistic print of it to hang on my wall.  That speaks the mind and heart of every cowboy, old time, or modern, after the boots have worn out and the saddle girths busted from long use.  We may not all have ridden hosses and roped in the cows, but the heart is there, none-the-less, and this captures that in as good a way as I've ever seen.

Now, I am going to go wash my face.

[Forty Rod]

Thank you.  Very well done.

Hint: date them all, print them out, and save them.  Sure save a lot of time if you ever decide to publish.

(Why am I thinking of J. R. Williams all of a sudden?)