I ride the hills of yesteryear
on a horse I call Regret.
Over trails strewn with memories
of a past I can’t forget.
I rake his hide with mental spurs,
I stare down ‘tween his ears.
My arm lifts hard upon the rein
as we go bucking through the years.
My thoughts fade back to Montana,
where I clearly stole the show
by marking an eighty seven
at the Billings rodeo.
But the money earned that night
would run out mighty soon,
and my luck would quickly follow
by the time God changed the moon.
I headed north to Alberta
where Kesler’s broncs buck strong;
making the short go in Calgary
but that’s where things turned wrong.
The night before the final perf
I spent in the arms of June.
We two-stepped across the dance floor
and into a hotel room.
Now boys, here’s where I fell offtrack
and changed the course of life.
That dancin’ lil’ redheaded gal
would soon end up my wife.
I pulled leather in the finals,
missed out at Medicine Hat.
Got hung up bad in Dawson Creek
and in Lethbridge after that!
Now I ain’t saying she failed me,
or caused me any grief.
But a woman needs a husband
and time is an awful thief.
A thief of will, a thief of drive,
it steals the “could have been”!
It turns you soft and makes you stop
and heed the fears within.
The baby came and needed Dad;
the broncs would wait a year.
And one would pass, then another
‘fore I stowed away my gear.
Twenty more have echoed since,
as hollow as a shell.
My June lit out five years ago
to leave me to my hell.
One that burns on coals of lament
and haunts me day and night.
I yearn to chase those bygone dreams
I let go without a fight.
I ride the hills of yesteryear
on a horse I call Regret.
Over trails strewn with memories
of a past I can’t forget.
I rake his hide with mental spurs,
I stare down ‘tween his ears.
My arm lifts hard upon the rein
as we go bucking through the years.
Author notes
For the non-rodeo crowd:
short go - the finals where there are fewer contestants, making the short go means you qualify for the finals
Kesler - Reg Kesler, an Alberta stock contractor that raised some of the greatest bucking horses to ever rodeo
Perf - performance
Pulled leather - to be disqualified for touching the saddle or horse with your free arm
Missed out - to be disqualified for not having your spurs over the point of the horse's shoulders for the first jump out of the chute
Hung up - to have a foot caught up in the stirrup risking injury due to being dragged, kicked or stepped on
As with all my poetry, I appreciate constructive feedback so that I can improve as a writer. Please give it to me straight, I'm a big boy, I can take it.
In a list
A contest entry
- Poetry Hodgepodge by DolceVito.
875 points, ended November 30, 2008, 25 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - #185 for Winklings & all friends of Winklers by Lyndon.
2100 points, ended October 11, 16 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 38 of 38
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Memories
Great write. A woman and two beautiful daughters stopped me from goin' pro.
Now I aint sayin' it was the wrong chioce but I still wonder if I could of takin' at least one gold. I also still pull leather fist in my mind.
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Awesome win Rory! classic cowboy poetry that will stand through time.
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Wow, this one was Awesome! I read it out loud and it was even better. I love it when a poem has all the elements come together, as they do here, in a poem that is pure enjoyment to read. Rhymed poetry can often come off as rather stiff and forced, that is definitely not the case here. It's one of the best I've read.
Thank you for entering and best of luck in the contest.
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You tell this tale in poetic rhyme effectively. I feel the success, failure, and the painful loss. The stanza which speaks of time as a thief is a very good metaphor, as are your repeated stanzas at the beginning and end. Thank you for the definition of terms.
Repetition at the end is superb as is the name of the horse because Regret is your theme.
Danni.
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Beautiful poem telling of the sad lament of a man who gave up his love in life for another. I was glad you put those things in authors notes because it helped me understand some of the finer things you said. You write excellent poetry on this subject and always allow me to see images of the moment you are speaking of. I love the name of the horse 'regret' great metaphor. I have heard that used in another poem, not sure if it were the man from snowy river or what. Never mind. Your write just wooed me. Thank you.
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Very good!! The first lines from The Man From Snowy River goes as follows:
There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses, he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
With you being Australian, it's little wonder you picked that up.
That's one of my alltime favorite poems, I have it on my Favorite Poetry of Others page. I hadn't realized I used the same name until you mentioned it. It doesn't surprise me though, I've read Banjo Patterson since I was a young boy and am no doubt influenced by his writing.
Thanks for the kind words,
Rory
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Strong Write!
This poem has pace rhythm and pulls at the heart strings. The cowboy style adds to its appeal. I don't see anything that needs improvement. You're well deserving of your gold.
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Brilliant
Thank you for entering this fine write...I know that horse very well.
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This is one of my favorites of yours I almost know it by heart. It needs no work it is perfect.
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This one is a keeper! you know how to write it because you have lived it. I only dream about it...
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A horse named regret. Love it. All too often we tend to blame our regrets on our wives. lol.
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Great this has the ring of a personal piece I hope not ( hey like hell i do It seemed quite a life to me)great rhyme. flow and a story line that dragged one kicking into the next stanza. Clearly this one has to be watched Excellent Good luck in the contest
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I really enjoyed reading this poem. Exactly the sort of thing I had in mind when I posted the contest. I love all the emotions and stories tied up in it. Great job!
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love this yes!!
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Let's give a hand to that good cowboy from.....87!! That's one fine ride Cowboy. Who scored higher, you or the bronc? Thank you for entering our contest.
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love the poem.
does pulled leather include touching yourself w/ free hand as well?
long live cowboy poetry.
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I read this again just to give me some inspiration. I was not disappointed. This piece is tried and true. It would be something that should give all of us writers hope. Just give me two or three great pieces that were not written by the 'masters' and I'm good to go. RC
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I loved this, the whole thing was not only well written but held you from start to finish. A story of the rodeo way of life that has probably been lived by so many over the years.
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Hang On!!!
How in the world do you not recognize your talent? I am mystified. Rory, you have read a great deal of what I have done and I want you to know that I believe with all my heart that I am one of the best communicators that currently walks or 'prowls' this planet. Arrogance? No. I have confidence in what i have paged no matter who would disparage my work. I am no longer afraid. 'They' do not scare me nor intimidate me. You have a gift. If you don't recognize it, I don't know what to do with you. I would share any stage with you and be proud to be there. You are the best find I have made here at AP. I always knew that and you continue to not disappoint. We are word weavers and what we do is just waiting for the word miner to unearth us and run back to town screaming about the gold in 'them there hills'. Swing away my friend, swing away. Home runs are within our reach. RC
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This is really cool! I loved reading it as always with your work. I love the first stanza and the way you repeated. It's a beautiful story that happens all too often. Great write!
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Excellent ride past the trails of regret...This is a wonderful write...I too agree that it would make a wonderful country song...love it..
Peace and many blessings..
~A~
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Rory, it's been so long since I've read your poems... I've missed them though. This is an excellent piece, with good flow and great imagery. I like the repeating verses at the end a great start on this poems and a great summation.
I've always enjoyed your poetry. I love cowboy poetry, but even moreso I like how you make it seem so very personal. I can usually find a moral in your words, usually a lesson to be learned, which makes for a fantastic piece of art.
Thanks for sharing with us Rory... it's ALWAYS a pleasure to read you.
~Melissa
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Excellent!
Rory, I have just found a new favorite poet. I truly enjoyed this, identified with it in more ways than I would care to admit to. I have thirteen years on you and my wife and I have made it through nearly 34 years, but it is nothing short of a miracle. -
I agree with a woman to love, this does have a universal feel to it and that's what I gathered when I read it. You brought me back to Calgary, God I love that place..although the wind just goes right through you. I've wandered there a few times. It's a beautiful place and they sure do love their rodeo...
I enjoyed this a very pleasurable read full of metaphoric meanings and double innuendo's of life and the rodeo.
Thanks for the info on the rodeo - a very nice touch
Much love & Many blessings~
~Joy
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This poem was amazing Great right well written great imagery, great word usage. Keep up the excellent work.
I ride the hills of yesteryear
On a horse I call regret
Over trails strewn with memories
Of a past I can’t forget
I rake his hide with mental spurs
I stare down ‘tween his ears
My arm lifts hard upon the rein
As we go bucking through the years
Loved this But overall the whole thing is the best I've seen for awhile.
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Mental spurs...
I grew up on and later worked on cattle stations (ranches) in Australia and was weaned on a diet of Australian bush ballads. Your poetry is very similar to that so it rings a bell with me! you might check out Leather and Hair on my page... I think you might like it! Anyway... this was a breath of fresh air my friend! Loved it!
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This should be written for a country song. It has the right rythm and beat....but what would I know about song writing. I am a poet.
I really enjoyed your writing. It was deep and heartfelt.
Been to many rodeo's in my life and you have portrayed the scene well.
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This piece has a universal theme to it...It matters not if a person knows about the rodeo or not. You are addressing a feeling that I have not been able to put a finger on today. I could not write about it for there is nothing fresh for me to say. I like the way you pen your thoughs and or feelings very creative and touching. Thank you honestly
this is how I have been feeling today....
I ride the hills of yesteryear
On a horse I call regret
Over trails strewn with memories
Of a past I can’t forget
I rake his hide with mental spurs
I stare down ‘tween his ears
My arm lifts hard upon the rein
As we go bucking through the years
Luv
J
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I like the flow, love the story line. You have told a sad tail of one who lost the drive, the what if in life. There was no closure on a life before the wife. Regrets of what could have been, but maybe not that of love and the child. Thanks for the sweet ride and sharing your work.
Jen -
As much as I wish I could say I understand that is hard to explain, I know the experience of riding horses and I'd say that was a marvelous poem!! I give you a 10 on a scale of 5!!
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As someone who has never been on the back of a horse (although I have ridden a camel), you certainly evoked the harsher realities of rodeo… and also the wistful wish to be back there despite the handicap of age. It really sounds like a love hate relationship and I guess if you enjoy it that much it is worth the bone crunching off days.
My only criticism of the poem (if that is what this is), is that it is far from novel – I’ve seen the films, read the books and even heard the songs; none of which detracts from the truth… but just makes it harder to reach the top.
p.s. there is only one meaning to drug and that is not the past tense of drag, which is dragged!¡
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Stop I just want this to stop I cant read this have tried a few times
do you know how hard it is to read one poem and enjoy it when in your head another one is speaking. For any Australian who reads your work Rory will be familiar with that classic we all learnt in school and is as much Australian as Waltz Sing Matilda...it is of course The Man From Snowy River. It is the imagery you have brilliant as always but that alone is not all the beat as i read it the word here and there amazing. I enjoy your work for the talent I see laid out before me I stand in applause Rory EXCELLENT
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wonderful write! The poem just takes you in and brings you out again. Great word play with "Mental spurs".
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This is good, Rory. Great flow, excellent story and some of the lines were first-class. A little shaky on the metre here and there, as one of the other readers remarked, but nothing major--well done.
Cheers,
Bill
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Excellant/intriguing/sad
A very fine write indeed. Image, rhythmn and rhyme were just fine. I thoroughly enjoyed this one just the way it is.
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Great Cowboy Poetry!
Thoroughly enjoyable reading. You should participate in some of the Cowboy Poetry readings throughout the west. As far as the critique goes, I thought there were a couple of places in the poem that were slightly "out of meter" but your rhyming flowed so easily that it was hardly noticable. This is a great poem...I loved it!
Carolyn
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Excellent! I think we have all ridden the horse regret from time to time. Your write though tinged with sadness could also be a wake up call for the rest of us...Love this...mal
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This is a very touching story, of yesteryears, of life, of choices we make,..
"I ride the hills of yesteryear
On a horse I call regret
Over trails strewn with memories
Of a past I can’t forget
I rake his hide with mental spurs
I stare down ‘tween his ears
My arm lifts hard upon the rein
As we go bucking through the years"
Excellent poem I love how those stanzas have different meanings in the opening and then the ending of the poem
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