FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

27

Jim Liles

The Cowboy Way

Cowboys are known, to have a way of their own, to sort out a sense of fair play. You ride for the brand, or a shake of the hand, that's always been "The Cowboy Way". "The Cowboy Way" is not a phrase, to be abused and miss-construed.

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

28

Jim Liles

The Bull Riders Tale

The gates they rattle, slam bam, as he kicks and rattles his horns. They load the chutes, one by one, the time, for the bulls has come. A quiet solemn, time at hand, as you climb up on the chute. Drop your rope, and hook the trail, he's big! I'll shorten the loop.

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

29

Jim Liles

The Bronc Riders Dance

This ain't no Texas two-step, and it ain't for city cats. This dance requires some grit and growl, and a feather in your hat. You ease down in that bucking chute, first one pedal, then the next. Screw yourself down in that Hamley, lift on that rein and nod your head.

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

31

Jim Liles

The Mind Says Yes the Body Says No

We were there behind the bucking shutes, where some jokes were being told. Some lies for sure, tales stretched out, about horses, bulls and rodeos. Came a blare from old Hadley Barrett, "clear the arena boys, let's go. We've got a rodeo to put on and the time is almost here".

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

33

Jim Liles

Tornados My Name

There's a chill on the morn, and a bit of frost, as I walk around planning my day. The first performance is still some time off, I'll soon be able to play. The pen here's a big one, much better than some, lots of room to spread out the hay.

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

35

Jim Liles

Weekend Champ

There ain't no big gold buckle, to show I was a hand. Just some little cheap ones, and a nice one now and then. We hit same old rodeos as John Ed, JC and Mahan. But couldn't always make the big ones top forty and last years champs.

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

36

Jim Liles

See Ya In The Fall

We started out at Denver, and Odessa worked right in. Didn't draw real good at either one, that white line fever's settin' in. Those winter rodeos pay a bunch, you can't afford to missm'. You gotta hitm' everyone

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

38

Jim Liles

Riding for the Brand

An old cowboy and a preacher met on the prairie one day, one ridin' a buckskin-- the other a bay. They squatted in the shade of a lone ceder tree, scratchin' the dirt, comtemplatin' you see. Comparing their lives, and the old cowboy spoke

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

39

Jim Liles

Memories

There comes a time, when cowboys pine, for the times, that used to be. The memories reflect, what they recall best, gold buckles, good times and tight jeans.

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

40

Jim Liles

Boys and Bulls

For those of you who have ever raised kids I am real sure you'll agree that the teen years can more than a little trying. By the time they're fifteen or so they are convinced that there ain't nothing that they can't rope, ride, brand, cut or otherwise abuse.

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

43

Jim Liles

Old Friends

I pulled up to the gate, and they waved me on through. With the stickers and such, they don't question who's who. It's been quite a while, since we been around, but not much has changed roperes abound.

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

44

Jim Liles

Run Cowboys Run

High ona mountain top Northern Idaho, there lived two brothers, retired from rodeo. They moved to the mountains to live amongst the bears. What they didn't realize was how friendly was those bears.

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

45

Jim Liles

Close Your Eyes

Ranch houses are built one room at a time. As the kids come along, you cut some more pine. They're not always planned with blueprints and such. They're more often built, from a sketch in the truck.

The Cowboy Way

FC 11 L-38

46

Jim Liles

Finals Bound

He was number three, in your program and number one, in your heart. He was tall, slender young feller, with a bit of a limp when he walked. It was finals time in Utah, the year had been long, and hard. The bulls had left him crippled, but the broncs, set him apart.

Rhymes Along the Way

FC 11 L-39

10

Robert L. Laumeyer

Rhymes Along The Way

My life was a short journey that covered a lot of time, a symphony with discords made bearable with some rhyme. Loaned me an exsistence, a loan in which I had no say. the results of my struggle are rhymes along the way.

Rhymes Along the Way

FC 11 L-39

10

Robert L. Laumeyer

Epilogue

Every talent we have is a debt made. If the work done is worthwhile, the debt's paid. We were granted free will to have our say. Learning this, I wrote rhymes along the way.

Rhymes Along the Way

FC 11 L-39

11

Robert L. Laumeyer

Songs of Retirement

The great stock options or the Holy Grail, in retirement appear pretty pale. There's no job to do and no chance to fail. You're no more master nor are you a slave. Your "work life" is dead

Rhymes Along the Way

FC 11 L-39

12

Robert L. Laumeyer

The Long Trail

How little I have learned in life's haphazardous drive. Now curiously I wonder could I a better map contrive? I don't know what trails I missed or what adventures they held. I know about the logs I cut but not the trees I left unfelled.

Rhymes Along the Way

FC 11 L-39

12

Robert L. Laumeyer

The Ones Before

The freshness of a rose in bloom is beautiful but gone too soon. It is like the loves of our past - thrilling, but some could not last.

Rhymes Along the Way

FC 11 L-39

13

Robert L. Laumeyer

Time to Reflect

Now pause and reflect at your will. Watch a rambunctious life grow still. Think and remember good times past. In retrospect, they went too fast.

Rhymes Along the Way

FC 11 L-39

13

Robert L. Laumeyer

Bank of Time

Time is your challenge. Time is your friend. Time is the deposit from which you spend. Interest may add. Life chips away. No deposit made can forever stay. Oh, spend it wisely. Spend it you must.

Rhymes Along the Way

FC 11 L-39

14

Robert L. Laumeyer

My Old School

How dark, black, and stark it stood on a windy, lonesome plain. Its roofing is all gone now. No sign of a window pane. The old horse barn, too, is gone. My memories still remain. I can still hear my playmates close my eyes and see them play.

Rhymes Along the Way

FC 11 L-39

15

Robert L. Laumeyer

Epilogue

Those young are old now and the old are dead. Some dreams must end and reality start. Again I had learned in my old school and old brain may forget, but not the heart!

A-Movin' West

FC 11 B-70

2

D.J Badger

My Cowboy

My cowboy never drank nor cussed Nor smoked them ol' ceegars, But he threw a loop and rode the herd And looked up at the stars. His artheteritic fingers Bent from pulling calves and such

A-Movin' West

FC 11 B-70

3

D.J Badger

A-Movin' West

The footlights dim midst thunderous roars And once again the sheriff wins, 'Cause that's the way it was a-movin' west. He brought them bandits to their knees And cured 'em all of mortal sins.