FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

118

Rolf M. Flake

A "Two Event" Man

Fourth of July Rodeo in old Show Low Town-- And a friend of mine went there to rope. He'd taken up team ropin' just a few months before "Beginner's Luck" was his greatest hope. Ropin' with the "big boys" was his big dream But he arrived there just a little bit late.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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120

Rolf M. Flake

Reflections of a Rodeo Bull

My name is "Ol' Ring Eye"-- I'm a Rodeo Bull. It's a great occupation-- I'm just playin' it cool. I only work weenends-- Just a couple of days-- For only eight seconds-- But, oh, how it pays.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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122

Rolf M. Flake

Celestial Fireworks

In old Taylor town the "Fourth of July" Saturnday night at the big rodeo--Six thousand attendance, standing room only, All there to enjoy the show! The rodeo started about seven P.M.--As announcer Reed Flake picked up the mike.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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128

Rolf M. Flake

What're Ya Gonna Give For 'Em?

Have you ever attended an auction? If you haven't you've sure missed a lot. It's a bit of Americana And you'd enjoy it likely as not. It's been a part of our way of life Since the early days of our land-- When they sold slaves at auction, bad though it was, And sometimes hard to understand.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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131

Rolf M. Flake

The Auctioneer

I'd loaded the last of the yearling steers-- I was shippin' 'em in to the sale. All my phone calls to find a buyer Had come to no avail. So I shipped 'em to the sale expectin' the worst-- 'Cause cattle prices were sure on the rocks. I just knew that I'd sure take a beating And add to my education--by "hard knocks."

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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133

Rolf M. Flake

Guess Who

"Have hammer, will stammer" Read the words on his card. And if that comes as a shock Don't take it too hard. "Have gavel, will travel" Is another way to put it. Still got you confused? It shouldn't, or should it?

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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134

Rolf M. Flake

The Cure

Well, I went back east a few years ago-- Well, really, just to the Midwest. Northern Iowa to be quite specific-- Farming country-- some of the best. I stayed in a hotel there for a cojple a' weeks, In Mason City at an Auction School-- Learnin' how to be a real auctioneer And not just a blabberin' fool.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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137

Rolf M. Flake

The Social Event of the Season

Up on the Navajo Reservation-- Up north of old Gallup town, There happens in early October An event of some great renown. It takes place in the "town" of Naschitti, Just a wide spot in the road. But it's the "Social Event of the Season," Of this you can be sure.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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143

Rolf M. Flake

Video Auctions

They say "video" auctions are the comin' thing-- A brand new way to sell cattle. You can sit in comfort in your overstuffed seat And just make believe you're tall in the saddle. You inspect the cattle from your easy chair All nice and cool with refrigeration. No dust, no rain, no cow manure Unless you have a good imagination.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

146

Rolf M. Flake

"Ground Hog" Day

Yesterday was February second The traditional "ground hog" day And I sure missed the old tradition Just let it slip away. Can't remember what I had for breakfast-- It didn't impress me much-- Must just have been the usual Just bacon, eggs and such.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

148

Rolf M. Flake

A Bummer of a Summer

The bulls were back in the bull pasture After a summer out with the cows. They was comparin' notes one with the other As to where they spent the summer and how. "My summer was great," one young bull said, "It just couldn't have been much better-- I hpe you all had a good time like me, 'Cause it was 'perfection' to the letter."

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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150

Rolf M. Flake

Time On His Hands

Old Juan, he was a sheepherder in Arizona's sunny clime, And the thing that meant the least to him In all the world was time. He wasn't takin' doctor's pills So he had no need to know Exactly what the hour was--and He had no place to go.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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152

Rolf M. Flake

Where's The Beef?

You hear lots of noise about chicken these days From Colonel Sanders, and Church's and more--They've got all these promotions and big ad campaigns To try to get you into their score. McDonalds, Pioneer, they all get in the act-- "Kicking the Bucket" is even mentioned by some-- "Finger lickin' good," another one claims-- Them gimmicks are quite catchy, by gum.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

153

Rolf M. Flake

Salt and Pepper, Sun and Flyspecks

Salt and pepper, sun and flyspecks Makes delectable cuisine When put together with some "dead cow" All cut in strips and lean. They tell me frijoles won the West-- That lowly pinto bean-- Couldn't've done it 'thout salt and pepper, sun and flyspecks On dead cow, cut in strips and lean.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

154

Rolf M. Flake

Shades

The grass is short, the cows are poor, The tanks are going dry. And things look tough to say the least Beneath a cloudless sky. But a rancher is resourceful Like no one you've ever seen. You've heard of "rose colored" glasses-- Well, he buys 'em tinted green.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

156

Rolf M. Flake

Jake, I Thought I Knew You

I'd knowed ol' Jake fer quite some time-- Like meybe several years-- And if one thing was his trademark It was all that hair around his ears. Yep he wore his sideburns long and wooly Beneath a 4X black felt hat-- With a moustache long and curly-- You've all knowed fellers like that.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

158

Rolf M. Flake

Feelin' No Pain

The cowboy was on the witness stand-- He was the plaintiff in the hearing. He'd been run over by a MOTOR HOME-- Before a judge he was now appearing. He was askin' damages from the "tourist"-- He'd sure been bunged up bad. CONTUSIONS, SCRAPES, AND BROKEN BONES And it sure had made him MAD!

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

160

Rolf M. Flake

Not Guilty By Reason of Ignorance

The cowboy into the courtroom-- Accused of a serious crime. They said he'd "appropriated" another man's horse And didn't return him on time. "Are you on the plaintiff or the defendant?" Question asked by the judge--of course. "I don't rightly know which I am." the cowboy said.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

161

Rolf M. Flake

True Confession

The rancher invited his neighbor over To a good ol' ranch bar-b-que. They'd been ranch neighbors for several years-- And only the best would do. So he prepared the beef with utmost care-- 'Twas the best he could rustle up-- With all the trimmin's as you can bet-- Full plate and fuller cup.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

162

Rolf M. Flake

Our House Is Your House

Good hospitality at its best-- Is that which happens in the West. "Tie your horse up partner--come in and eat!" Is an invitation that can't be beat. "We're glad to give you what we have-- Whole wheat bread and good 'cow-salve'.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

163

Rolf M. Flake

Have You Heard The One About?

I talked about a "herd of cows"-- She said, "I've heard of cows, you bet." I said, "No, I meant a cow herd." She said, "I don't care, I haven't said anything yet."

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

164

Rolf M. Flake

Ol' Bill

When I was over in England A couple of weeks ago We wandered in to Stratford town-- Just lookin' 'round you know. They told us that a famous poet used to live just down the street. And since I'm "into poetry" This feller I hoped to meet.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

166

Rolf M. Flake

Sow-Boy Poetry

The little town of Snowflake, Arizona It has been my home for years. It was settled by my family They raised mostly cows--along with steers. We were ranchers and proud of it-- Cowboys--our "sport" was RODEO! The romance of the WILD, WILD WEST! We lived it, breathed it--don't ya know!

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

169

Rolf M. Flake

Truth in Advertising

In this "enlightened" day we live in There's lots of talk about good nutrition-- And how we look, and the "shape" we're in And if we're in or out of condition. well, I head a conversation the other day Between two cowboy friends-- The subject was on losin' weight, And the means to reach those ends.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

171

Rolf M. Flake

The "Forces" of Nature

Gravity holds the world together-- That's something I've always been taught. So without gravity things would be different, And we wouldn't be here, like as not. So gravity is "it,",, it's what holds us down, Keeps us from drifting into space.