Dedicated to Frank Junior Duce (1919 - 1999)
It sits in the corner, dried up and dusty,
leather all cracked and rivets all rusty.
Now hardly the prize that it once had been
but, my God the sights that ole saddle has seen.
Hand tooled and crafted in nineteen fifty one -
saddle bronc riding was how it was won.
It went to the winner of the Calgary Stampede -
World Champion was how the papers would read.
It’s been cinched to a hundred horses or more,
never once leaving one with a saddle sore.
Been used in parades and quarter horse races,
that ol’ saddle's sure been put through its paces.
The years have left it weather beaten and worn,
but a thousand steers have been tied to its horn.
It has pulled out stumps and even a truck or two
yet no matter the test, that horn has held true.
Across its pommel many newborn calves have draped,
over its skirt have hung deer that never escaped.
Been rained on, hailed on and seen three feet of snow,
swam the Oldman River with the banks overflowed.
And though it’s old now and covered with dirt
the conchos shine brightly yet upon it’s skirt.
The stirrups still hang freely and loose,
while on the fender can be read...
Frank Duce
Saddle Bronc
Champion
1951
Author notes
Dedicated to one of the greatest bronc riders of all times and a pioneer in the great sport of rodeo, my uncle Frank.
In a list
A contest entry
- Options!! Lots of `em by Maybe Anastasia.
390 points, ended May 8, 2007, 36 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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A fitting tribute to a fellow cowpoke. Well written almost like a song.
Happy trails.
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Congrats on the gold and you paint a vivid picture
of western life and its events....I adored reading
this one...nice rhyming and the read flowed
smooth.....a well balanced poem....excellent...novy
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This is excellent poetry
Thanks for letting us read it. I have been to the Calgary Stampede many times. I also have been to the downhill, at Omak, the Suicide Stampede. Both were great events and I loved the smell and sights as the popcorn was mixed with leather. The old cook wagon with the pink cotton candy and beer keg was always the creator of lines of western dressed folks. Ty again! Great poem. -
Excellent poem this. I love the way you gave that saddle life even though it had sat there for so long. The memories that saddle held must be so numerous and I bet it holds a lot of humor as well. Your Uncle Frank must have been a real champion with this wonderful saddle you have described. I have never been to a rodeo and doubt whether I would, but you certainly gave the whole piece charm. Just one thing...what is the skirt? Fantastic read all in all. Keep up the brilliant work. I think I have read just about every cowboy one you have here, so I have to start on another section. Oh, I also spend time reading your poems on 'Wher ean eagle sors' These are absolutely brilliant. I suppose I will run across them here?
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very nice job. the rhyme was very well done and the flow was great. I loved the persective. a true western write. great job and thanks for the entry.
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Amazing!
Your words are art! You paint a vivid portrait of people you have known and places you have been. I must say that I read a lot of poetry, that is my passion, and not to flatter you or for any other reason..except truth. Your writing is among the best I have read, and I feel blessed beyond measure to have stumbled across it. Every time I click on one of your writes I think to myself, this will not be as good as the last one, but each time I am so pleasantly surprised! My husband is a out-doors man as well. He loves to get out in nature and just bask in it. I shared some of your writes with him and he enjoyed them so much! He is not a poetry guy... he loves to read old mysteries and Stephen King. What else can I say? Keep that pen handy, I'm hooked!!!
Azlyn
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ok... just wow on this piece...
From the way you write... that saddle is nothing less than treasure... the memories it must hold for you.
This is well written... the flow is awesome and has a rhythm that is smooth and soft. Your rhymes are un-forced and fit into this piece wonderfully....
This was certainly an enjoyable read for me... well done!!!
~Melissa
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Nice tale of history...Poem befitting a bronc rider. How true some saddles have prevailed throughout history of their finally crafted leather. Thanks for sharing this poem. Nice read. ~Sie
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OutstandingTribute
"It sits in the corner, dried up and dusty
Leather all cracked and rivets all rusty
Now hardly the prize that it once had been
But, my God the sights that ole saddle has seen"~ I appreciated the opening to this touching poem. What a great tibute to a man and his dedication to something he truly loves. The poem really expresses how sometimes something you love just flows in your veins like your own blood. I thank you for sharing this write. I like your style.
Jen
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Broncs!!!!
I love keeping up with the bronc scores! This is a lovely piece which, coincendentally reminded me that I hadn't looked up any scores in awhile.... Anyways, you brought out quite a memorable poem, very sweet of you to remember the greats! Write on Poet!
Krazy K.
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WONDERFUL
AWESOME TRIBUTE POEM YOU HAVE PENNED HERE MY POETIC FRIEND. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. KEEP ON PENNING!
POETDONTKNOWIT -
this seems to hold so many memories and it's nice to dwell on goods times like you have here in this piece, i think you did an admirable poem here
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This is a nice change from the typical reads on here!1 I thoroughly enjoyed the story of your Uncle Frank!!! He must have been one amazing man. GBY
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The ability to display and epress timeless moments and then weave them into verse is what makes you exceptional. This is why I have told you for so many months that you need to take what you have and make it happen for all. A family member in rodeo? Now you move forward in keeping my interest in you. RC
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Wonderful story, I do love going on this great adventures with you. You teel them so well and bring the reader in to your land if only for awhile.
How proud you must have been as a boy, knowing your uncle had accomplished so much. I can just see you standing in admiration looking at that saddle, or watching him ride. I know I would have.
Another great write and tribute to a man, who is truly deserving of it.
Thanks for sharing and taking me on another day dream to heaven.
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i enjoyed this, its quite refreshing to read a light-hearted poem once in a while
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