FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

170

Janet Gingold

A Brighter Day (1969)

She fell asleep one quiet dawn, and awoke to a brighter day, in The Land of Fresh Beginnings, with the pain all swept away. and her eyes went wide with wonder as her understanding grew,

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

171

Janet Gingold

The Wreck Of Buckboard Number Nine (1969)

I was making a hand at the old T-Bar-C in the autumn of nineteen-o-nine, just a kid from the city, and one mighty green, bust so sure I could make it just fine. I had milked me a cow, and I'd rode me a horse

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

174

Janet Gingold

Doby (1970)

I braided as strip of his soft, white mane, then tenderly put it away; and i found, as many have done before, that "Goodbye" is so hard to say. His body was weak, and his eyes were dim,

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

175

Janet Gingold

Norway Victorious (1989)

They used to hide away their flags, and hide their hearts as well; but what is hidden still exists, as anyone can tell. who once were freedom's oldest friends invaders now had bound;

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

176

Janet Gingold

Ern Pedler (1914-1989)

Out of the shadows a lone man rode; "Twas a Morgan Horse that the man bestrode, chestnut coat and a gleaming hide, a prancing step and a look of pride. A stallion he was, with spirit strong,

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

177

Janet Gingold

The Beauty Of Words (1989)

I love the sound of words, like heather, pomander and spice, I love the singing sound of words, like hyacinth and paradise. I love the scented sound of words,

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

178

Janet Gingold

Grown Old (2002)

The saddle gathers dust these days, the bridle's on the wall, the barn has lost the scent of hay, there's no horse in the stall. My boots have truly lost heir shine, my chaps have gotten stiff,

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

180

Janet Gingold

The Best Laid Plans (2003)

I never intended to be an old cowpoke. I planned to be richer than Midas by far. I meant to start out with a few head of cattle. I truly believed I could lasso a star! but all of my plans seemed to soon come a-cropper.

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

183

Janet Gingold

The Fifth of July (2004)

The fireworks are over, flags furled and put away. The picnic spots are empty, It's just another day. the bows are out of horse tails, show saddles on the rack,

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

184

Janet Gingold

The Down-and-Outer (2004)

My dad was full of platitudes. He flung them out like jewels. It took me years to realize they were his teaching tools. "The watched pot never boils", He'd say when I just couldn't wait.

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

185

Janet Gingold

The Christmas Miracle (2004)

Only child on lonely outpost, not a soul to share his play. Every night he kissed hi parents, went off to his room to pray. "Little prairie dogs, dear father, play together, all the day,

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

187

Janet Gingold

Cowpoke Philosophy (2005)

Well, I read theevening paper, and it scared me near in two, with its columns-long palaver about the world to-do. Seems there's little wars all over, and crimes and violence -

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

188

Janet Gingold

The Wanderer (2005)

The prairie stretched before him, just as endless as the sea. The waving grass was stirrup-high, no hint of shrub or tree. A quest it was, that sent him west, to lands not seen before. But somewhere, he knew one for him held promise in store.

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

197

Janet Gingold

Roots.. in the Morgan World

prose

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

190

Janet Gingold

Last Word (2007)

T'was a night to be forgotten, but few there were who could. For sometimes nothing turns out the way you think it should. Now, I know you won't believe me, "Though what i say is truth.

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

191

Janet Gingold

Warm Thoughts Of Cold Creek (2007)

I was young back in the 'forty's, just a kid, if truth were told, so it only stands to reason that by now I'm growing old. But I haven't lost a memory of the many I built then on the ranch I loved so dearly

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

199

Janet Gingold

I Remember (1995)

prose

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

201

Janet Gingold

Cousin Don Landes (2003)

prose

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

203

Janet Gingold

World War II Memorial (May 29, 2004)

prose

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

204

Janet Gingold

Mr. Miley's Palomino (2005)

prose

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

205

Janet Gingold

The Christmases of My Childhood (1930s)

prose

The Lavonne Houlton Compendium: Ponies, Poetry and Prose

FC 11 G-42

206

Janet Gingold

Uncle Ed Titus (2007)

prose

Prairie Song A Meander Of Memory

FC 11 G-44

V

DW Groethe

Prairie Song

I know the song of the prairie. Its harkening cry, like the anguished joy of a birthing, lifts the heart high as a heaven, swaddling the soul in its ineffable everness.

Prairie Song A Meander Of Memory

FC 11 G-44

3

DW Groethe

Stone in the Wall

A voice spoke. "I come from the Great Massif. Far to the north. Through ice, water and aeons I journeyed and waited. Waited for the improbable moment. Waited till he who sought me.. found me.

Prairie Song A Meander Of Memory

FC 11 G-44

4

DW Groethe

April 30

This sleek sheet of fury, white within white within white, whips, wraps, the world without pity.. then, again, what use has a whirlwind for pity?..one may as well call it joyful