FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

The Second Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

The second Cowboy Poetry Gatherin' is now but History; But in the back of my ol'brain, remains this mystery! How could the second gatherin' "hold a candle" to the first? This first one, which we know was great, turned out to be the "worst!" I've tried often in the past,

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

My Hoss Corral

Some's standin' on three legs, with one hind leg cocked; Some have black points, and some are white socked. That sorrel horse there, with a streak in his face; Is a mite lazy, but cows, he can chase! That bay's sort'a timid, stand off the side;

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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84

E.W. "Roy" Miller

A Week With The Big Three

Santa really came early this year (For a bad boy) was sure good to me! He arranged a trip to the N.F.R., accompanied by the Big Three! Hanson and Merril contributing a bunch to this festive, gala event; And Merle, my big-little brother, me taggin' along's what it meant! But thanks to them I was their guest,

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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85

E.W. "Roy" Miller

The Beauty Of It All

When one views God's wondrous beauty, in this land that He has made, and a jillion tiny snowflakes, make a blanket He has laid- As I watch the fluffy snowflakes, glisten brightly as they fall; One gets a peaceful feeling.. that's the beauty of it all! Out on the flat or "level,"

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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86

E.W. "Roy" Miller

A Fantastic Trip

Our kids live in Hawaii, so we went to visit them there; We flew to San Francisco, into California air. Then on the Island of Oahu, Honolulu here we come; Saw the Polynesian Center and then Pearl Harbor some, Then we flew to the Island of Maui, where ten days we had a blast;

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

Logan's Talking Chickens

I've been taking care of chickens, well, just gathering their eggs; making sure they're fed and watered, so not a single chicken begs! Logan Burns is on vacation, so I'm tryin' to take his place; But I feel a need to tell you, they were wearing a sad face!

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

A Bay With A Blaze And Four Stocking Feet

"Never get married to a horse" I've heard that saying for years! and I've always made it a policy so I wouldn't be sheddin' the tears! and tradein' horses for thirty-five years. You know that I've owned a host; I'd load up my semi with twenty head and hauled them to the west coast!

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

Cowboy Clint Zangger

When I met Clint I was a boy of maybe twelve years old and after all that time and impressionable years unfold. I vividly remember and recall that day, of course, The reason they came over was to simply buy a horse! And after the transaction and the deal was made and through

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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91

E.W. "Roy" Miller

The Price Had Been Paid

If you walked into some kind of store, and laid your money down; The clerk would gather up your change, and then give you a frown; Insult you and ignore you, and then tell you to leave; You'd know that you'd been taken - I would, I believe. Well, that's the way it is with God, Who sent His Only Son

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

A Month-Long Vacation

My wife retired from her job, she was ready to take a trip; Wanting to stay in motels with pools, so she'd have a nightly dip. Of course we stayed with different friends and some of our relatives too; We took in different attractions and found interesting tings to do. When we got to Minden, Nebraska,

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

Healthy Food

I've often wondered why vegetarians think they eat healthful food; I've wanted to tell them what I think I just didn't want to be rude! But I finally found our the other day, when I was privileged to be guests in a generous household and wonderful food they served me. This package had been in the freezer,

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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95

E.W. "Roy" Miller

Born Fifty Years Too Soon

When I was young and footloose free, and I think of the girls that interested me; It was only by their visible face, not by their gowns of silk or lace! Not by their bodies now visibly seen, You had no idea is what I mean; Only by feeling you'd know what to expect and no way of knowing what you'd detect.

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

The "Cowboy Girls" Of '97

With twenty-eight years in the business we've hired more than a few; Sometimes we've had outstanding help, and at times we've just had to "make do!" At times there's been one that's tremendous that was way ahead of the rest. And some we'd just plain tolerate, 'cause their poor work was their best!

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

Cuttin' Corners

Now I've been a "bargain hunter" I guess all my life; and rising costs for all of us, add stress and strain and strife! And to avoid a marked up price, portions have been cut; You buy a box of cereal and it's only half full but just look on the bright side..when buying vitamin and pills; You also get free cotton,

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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100

E.W. "Roy" Miller

A Decision For The Future

Now, You've heard about the hunter, who snored so bad each night. He kept his fellow hunters from sleeping sound and tight. No one cared to sleep with him, so drew straws to see just who would be the one unfortunate - that had this thing to do. Well, Bill became elected and he took it like a man

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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100

E.W. "Roy" Miller

How Fortunate

In this Christmas season, at this time of year; When we gather together, with friends near and dear; And we count our Blessings, and see what God's done; We can see that His giving, has only begun. His great love is matchless, His reign is supreme; He came with one purpose-

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

Arn And Joan

We get busy with our daily lives and though we're miles apart our thoughts go back occasionally to those who've touched our heart. After eight years and two kids in Phoenix and no family members closed by we moved to Dakota and now i'll tell you why Denny was selling Mormans Feed and Golden Sun was wanting a man

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

Look Who's Wrestling!

Listen my friends and you will hear of what can happen if you've had enough beer; And what can happen when you haven't had nay, and you'd give your eyeteeth to just have had many! I wasn't there this particular night, it took place at the Hitchrail if I heard right

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

To My Very Special Friends!

We spent a week in Ocean Shores, West Coast-Washington State and in the Windjammers office, I was hit with a plan I'll relate. I came across these beautiful cards, and I was greatly impressed; I learned "dollars" are washed ashore daily, Now, I'll bet you know the rest! So every day after low tide, look out shoreline, here we come;

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

A Father's Mistakes

There's many a factor that's involved in raising a family; There's many decisions to be made, and should be honestly, Every child is different, you simply can't compare, or use the same discipline, because that isn't fair. Now as a father, I sure failed, in many various ways,

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

Good Health - Great Wealth

I'm grateful to God for many things, but mainly it's my health; I've never wanted to be rich, or ever have great wealth. But as I look around me, I've sure been greatly blessed; When I see people half my age, have already been laid to rest; Some have mental disorders, and helpless as can be;

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

Summertime Cowboy

Now, I consider myself a Cowboy, though I don't own a cow; Oh, I've owned a few in my life time, but I haven't got any now. I've had enough to eat and milk, and rope till my time was all gone; And a few head in a feed lot, just enough to lose money on!

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

Are We Afraid To Die?

Back about thirty years ago or maybe longer than that we were back in South Dakota in the Black Hill is where we were at. I walked out of the house on night I don't recall just why but I came to the hasty conclusion I wasn't prepared to die! The heavens were lit up like I had never seen before

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

An Appointment With Death

Each and every one of us, that constantly takes a breath; Has an undermined date to meet, it is a date with death. We might think we'll live forever, but my Friend, it isn't true, we may live to be 100, or just a year or two. We may not even see the breaking of tomorrow's light;

75 Years! My Time In Rhyme

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E.W. "Roy" Miller

Pheasants In The Rut - And The Hunter Too!

We were back east with my brothers; and my nephews and their friends and two days of fun with loved ones; but hunting's skimpy when it ends. And above all Merle was missing; he's the Honcho of the crew he's in the hospital both days; t'was the only thing to do.