artwork by Will James Glackens
The day's chores were fin'ly done
so we thought we would have some fun
and take a turn at ridin' the steers
we fed down in the pen.
I thought it might be easy,
we'd watched the Finals on TV
when Donny Gay won the bull riding
in old Okie City.
We were steelly tough and brave,
even though we had yet to shave,
and we added more than raw courage
when we stole dad's whiskey.
A tin of chew we also found
that he had left lying around
so we put a pinch inside our lips
and spat just like he'd do.
Down to the barn we trotted,
still smiling, but stomachs knotted,
while Tom grabbed Dad's worn out ol' bull rope,
I grabbed his lariat.
We then set off for the pen
to prove that we had become men;
we'd ride those steers like dad wouldda done
back when he rodeoed.
By luck I'd brought the whiskey,
'nuther pull and I got frisky
so I built a nice loop and practised
my roping skills on Tom.
I heeled him like an expert,
took up the slack 'til he hit dirt
or maybe it was something softer
that cushioned his landing.
Poor Tom had swallowed his chew;
he stood coughing and turning blue,
muttering about feeling dizzy
and needing to sit down.
I laughed and called him "Suzy"
but by now I too was woozy.
That darn rotgut and chew were too much
for a twelve year old boy.
I dared not show Tom my fear
so I lassoed the nearest steer
then held on tight to eight hundred pounds
of orn'ry, angry beef!
He took off with me in tow
not quite like in the rodeo
I had watched from the comforts of home
upon my mama's couch.
I bounced around the feedlot,
got covered in shit and steer snot,
too dazed or perhaps too darn stubborn
to let go of the rope.
That steer then stopped his running,
his mind most evil and cunning,
he spun quickly around and faced me,
then stared me in the eye.
I sensed my luck had ended,
bovine gods had been offended
and I was going to pay the tithes
in blood and broken bones!
Then suddenly it struck me,
that randy steer meant to mount me!
On hands and shaking knees I scrambled
toward the nearest fence.
He bellowed like some bull might
while I screamed all girlly in fright
until I heard the cackles from Tom
laughing hysteri'cly.
He had grabbed a hold the rope
and was now my last ray of hope,
though as I scrambled beneath the fence
he teased "Who's Suzy now?"
I never did ride that steer,
I turned to something less severe.
While brave Tom became a bullfighter
I stuck to riding broncs.
Author notes
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
- Favorites of Silent Hawk by PureCountry.
875 points, ended August 6, 2008, 16 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Daisy by ea.
700 points, ended January 24, 15 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 27 of 27
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Wow!!!! Love the scene of bullriding or almost bullriding, you have painted in this poem. I can picture a couple, of twelve year olds trying to ride that ole bull. Thanks for sharing. Take care and have a great day.
Sandi -
A wonderful funny story of your growing up. To actually attempt to ride one of these beast certainly took some guts at your age. You had me laughing the whole way and the verses,
(I sensed my luck had ended,
bovine gods had been offended
and I was going to pay the tithes
in blood and broken bones!
Then suddenly it struck me,
that randy steer meant to mount me!
On hands and shaking knees I scrambled
toward the nearest fence.
He bellowed like some bull might
while I screamed all girlly in fright
until I heard the cackles from Tom
laughing hysteri'cly.)
really had me laughing so much. There seems to be some lines here that i think should not be there. Don't know if you noticed this.
( ) Seems to be after every verse you wrote. Anyway, you have given us a great laugh and fantastic images to savour. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your trophy wins.
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Delightful 'coming of age' story! Entertainingly told. Great title relevance, once the story is read.
I don't understand the
at the end of each stanza...is it supposed to add anything to the story?
Great imagery, I could see it all taking place! Thanks for the ride!
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thanks for the kind words...I'm glad you enjoyed this.
I'm not sure what you see at the end of each stanza. On my page it reads properly with just a single line in between stanzas. It might be a formatting issue.
Rory
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I loved this story and the imagery is very well done. Thank you very much for sharing this bit of humor in my contest.
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Well, I can see how this might prove a turning point in any young cowboy's career, indeed.
I guess there was a problem with the html code on this poem and my server but I just ended up copying and pasting it to another document in order to delete these many
that were showing up between the stanzas, in order to get a clear read, and it was worth it! Thank you for coming to the rodeo with this beaut!
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I don't know how I missed so many of your great pieces? This is hilarious! My goodness you are good. I know that is repetitive, but I'm tired and had too many beers. Do you have any idea how good you are? RC
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Been here already...the 'return the favor' link brought me back, and I'm kinda glad, 'cause you may not be aware of the formatting that got changed somehow.
Might want to ask a Mod about getting rid of all the lines that now read unless you can edit them out yourself. -
I think your story is funny and divine. Maybe you need a snappier meter to make it really rollick because it has a rollicking theme.
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Your Words
written with such flair and love of the west take on greater magic, when combined with your sense of devilish humor.
You are a rare talent! Thanks for entering.
Niaish
Silent Hawk
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*chuckles* This was mighty! I agree with Symphony....especially as Garth Brooks was singing "I got friends in low places" on the radio as I was reading this.
A great word picture that made me laugh out loud! -
LOL this was fantastic
At the start, I was thinking, hey I could almost hear a beat coming from this one - like a regular ol' Garth Brooks song [who I love]
But then the humour cut in; and actually had me laughing out loud - which not many poems manage to do. Great job, and thanks for featuring it - I really enjyoed the read
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a growing smile finally cut loose its tethers and became a laugh by the time I finished this. Brilliant down home humor full of so many witty details that it was truly a joy to read. As usual, your natural skill as a story teller shone through with impeccable timing and perfect flow. Loved it!!!
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As with all of your poetry, you don't need any criticism. Funny, smart (unlike you two that day), and filled with marvelous imagery. Genuine poetry from a genuine poet.
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i can't stop grinnin
now i've been to a couple small town rodeos and never have i seen something this funny. just the thought of it made me giggle two young boys trying to be all big and bad.. hahaha tis a great write for sure and there is nothing bad about it that i can tell you.
keep penning -
I know nothing of bull riding or bronc busting, but I was thoroughly enchanted reading this! I remember a boy (my cousin) from my teen years who had a similar spirit, but it wasn't a bull he tried to tame. He and a friend decided to row across the bay in a pram in rough weather. Another time he attempted to put a collar on a big old tom named Neut. Neither adventure went well at all! It's a wonder they didn't drown in the bay, and that old tom, Neut, no worse for the wear, tore him up from one end to the other. Since his Dad worshipped the cat, he had to lie and tell him he had caught a wild tabby in the woods near our house. If my uncle ever new the truth, he'd have had no sympathy and probably would have done some damage of his own.
Anyway, I love your poem as it was entertaining and took me back a few years.
~Karen
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Some folk wouldn't even notice, and of those that did, most would tell you "Hey, a steer is a steer 'cause he's been neutered! What's he tryin' to mount you for?"
A real cowboy knows this don't stop 'em gettin' randy...and often makes 'em just that much meaner about it! This work pleases me enormously...I'll be lookin' for more...and more.
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I liked this, a rollicking tale well told, the rhyme and flow matched the subject well, and I enjoyed the way the narrator poked fun at his younger self. The poem made me laugh, a precious gift of fun! Good imagery, so I was there on the fence, enjoying the spectacle, especially when the youth realised what was in the steer's mind!
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This is so charming with every word...real to life, ranch style...so real and innocent , it reads. I love the feel of this story/poem...it had a bit of humor within. Well done,thanks for sharing
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Good.
You made it so i could share the storyline of the poems well.
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Inspiring
I love it! A wonderful story telling with well placed and powerful words. Bravo!
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I like the rhyme scheme, perfect to tell a story, and what a story! and it's believable! I can see it all, boys do things like this.
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I had to stop twice from laughing. I can just see the scene the way you describe it. Your words flowed well and you told a great story. LOL I'm still laughing. Pen on...
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Ah ha ha ha!
Oh dear...I'm wiping my eyes! What a WONDERFULLY funny tale you tell ~ and to know it was all true takes the cake!
So thrilled to know my rhyme scheme inspired this great poem!
Humour in poetry is the very best medicine in life, and I think you've got a beauty here. Do please forward it to a rodeo magazine or some some publication. I'm sure it would be a big hit!
Thanks so much for sharing it with me. I really enjoyed the belly laugh!
Well penned, Sir, and may you always ride safely.
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I have to love this one
This one was great. My brother and I would use the barn door as a gate and we'd pen a steer or horse in there and when the rider was set, we'd open the gate. You had to duck coming out but once my brother didn't and took the top of the door frame right in the face. Great write, this one is dear to my heart.
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Good grief, Rory. It's a wonder you became a cowboy at all, after such trauma. You have a deft touch & a precious talent for hilarity, my Friend. Good luck in the contest, Scribe.
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I am smiling broadly from reading this poem of yours ... lol
If this really happened, I am glad your survived.
If it didn't really happen, then I am glad for your splendid imagination and ability to create such a poetic story, for I loved reading about your adventure. ACK! lol on whiskey and chew. 
Your poetry always makes me feel consumed by admiration, fine Sir Poet. 
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