March 2015
I was born and raised in the sand hills and oil fields of West Texas. After graduating from the University of Texas, I worked as a physicist and executive in the aerospace industry for forty years.I began writing western poetry after my retirement in 2000. I have published two books of cowboy poetry (One Foot In The Stirrup and Out Where The Blacktop Ends) and have published in several on-line sites. I now live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. See more of my poetry at: www.westernpoetry.org
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Editors Note: Western poetry is new to me. I chanced upon it about a month ago in my Internet travels. Larry Bradfield's cowboy poems are perfect representatives of the genre: sincere, warm, and truly American.
Welcome, Larry, to Verse-Virtual. And thank you for giving me carte blanche to publish your poetry. No one has ever done that before. I am honored. And I will take you up on your generous offer in the months to come. |
What Cowboys Do
He turned his sheepskin collar up
His back was to the wind
He'd seen this kind of storm before
But had a fence to mend
The new wire laid out on the ground
They'd brought it from the store
He'd have to work through sleet and snow
That's what they paid him for
He knew just why he couldn't leave
And go back to the fire
This wind would drive the whole dang herd
Right through the busted wire
And so he set about that chore
He ain't like me and you
He'll right near work himself to death
'Cause that's what cowboys do
He built the fence then drank a cup
Them cows behind the wire
He turned his sheepskin collar up
And headed for the fire
Daydreamin’
When all of this ropin’ an’ ridin’ is done
I’ll take me to Dallas an’ find me someone
She’ll have reddest hair and some freckles just so
An’ want to come with me wherever I go
We’ll travel this land from Ft Worth to Austin
Or just maybe we’ll go clear up to Boston
Whatever we do it’s got to be goin’
Can’t stand it much more with this sand a blowin’
I’ll quit what I’m doin’ and have me some fun
When all of this ropin’ an’ ridin’ is done
Buy me some trousers that ain’t made of denim
She’ll tell me she’s proud of how I look in ‘em
I’ll buy me a shirt that ain’t got no patchin’
Get me a hanky with socks that are matchin’
I’ll shine up my boots to cover the scuffin’
Take ‘em to dance with my redheaded muffin’
We’ll do up the town until the sun’s risin’
Just think of the dreams I’ll be realizin’
I’ll be a rootin’ tootin’ son-of-a-gun
When all of this ropin’ an’ ridin’ is done
I’ll take her and keep her and call her my hon
When all of this ropin’ and ridin’ is done.
First Boots
My grandson got his boots today
I couldn't help but smile
Many a stirrup lies ahead —
He'll ride many a mile
How many times will they come off —
He'll wear a bootjack out
And get 'em scuffed by some heifer
Then shine 'em up, no doubt
They'll lead some lady 'round the floor
Learnin' Cotton Eyed Joe
They'll kiss goodnight while he stands tall —
And she's up on tiptoe
Might even keep him from snakebite —
Make sure they're tall enough
Protect him from the mesquite thorns
That leather's plenty tough
Yep, boots are gonna help that boy
Stand up and be a man
So many things to go through yet —
I'll help him all I can
The salesman grinned and shook his head,
"It's always you ol' coots!
Ya get all teary eyed and sad —
It's just a pair of boots!"
He turned his sheepskin collar up
His back was to the wind
He'd seen this kind of storm before
But had a fence to mend
The new wire laid out on the ground
They'd brought it from the store
He'd have to work through sleet and snow
That's what they paid him for
He knew just why he couldn't leave
And go back to the fire
This wind would drive the whole dang herd
Right through the busted wire
And so he set about that chore
He ain't like me and you
He'll right near work himself to death
'Cause that's what cowboys do
He built the fence then drank a cup
Them cows behind the wire
He turned his sheepskin collar up
And headed for the fire
Daydreamin’
When all of this ropin’ an’ ridin’ is done
I’ll take me to Dallas an’ find me someone
She’ll have reddest hair and some freckles just so
An’ want to come with me wherever I go
We’ll travel this land from Ft Worth to Austin
Or just maybe we’ll go clear up to Boston
Whatever we do it’s got to be goin’
Can’t stand it much more with this sand a blowin’
I’ll quit what I’m doin’ and have me some fun
When all of this ropin’ an’ ridin’ is done
Buy me some trousers that ain’t made of denim
She’ll tell me she’s proud of how I look in ‘em
I’ll buy me a shirt that ain’t got no patchin’
Get me a hanky with socks that are matchin’
I’ll shine up my boots to cover the scuffin’
Take ‘em to dance with my redheaded muffin’
We’ll do up the town until the sun’s risin’
Just think of the dreams I’ll be realizin’
I’ll be a rootin’ tootin’ son-of-a-gun
When all of this ropin’ an’ ridin’ is done
I’ll take her and keep her and call her my hon
When all of this ropin’ and ridin’ is done.
First Boots
My grandson got his boots today
I couldn't help but smile
Many a stirrup lies ahead —
He'll ride many a mile
How many times will they come off —
He'll wear a bootjack out
And get 'em scuffed by some heifer
Then shine 'em up, no doubt
They'll lead some lady 'round the floor
Learnin' Cotton Eyed Joe
They'll kiss goodnight while he stands tall —
And she's up on tiptoe
Might even keep him from snakebite —
Make sure they're tall enough
Protect him from the mesquite thorns
That leather's plenty tough
Yep, boots are gonna help that boy
Stand up and be a man
So many things to go through yet —
I'll help him all I can
The salesman grinned and shook his head,
"It's always you ol' coots!
Ya get all teary eyed and sad —
It's just a pair of boots!"
©2015 Larry Bradfield