Carolyn Devonshire Poet Free verse

A Cowboy Is

heartbeat of the American dream
early settlers escaped tyranny
rode West, used squatters’ rights
claimed land and turned to ranching
nights ‘neath stars and grub by campfires
from nearby hills wolves howling
driving cattle across wide prairies
boomtowns erected when gold was found
ghost towns remain as a symbol of lost wealth
cowboys saw the growth of a nation
encountered tribes that rebelled
met others that passed peace pipes
Tombstone today haunted by sounds
barroom brawls and sultry saloon singers
not an easy life; the strongest survived
few emulated Clint Eastwood or John Wayne
just men who still enjoy freedom to roam the range
but freedom always comes at a price
few riders had family ties
ladies of the night were their comfort
only a handful became rich ranchers
still they ride
still they ride

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James Foulk April 7, 2011 at 11:00 AM love clint eastwood and of course the Duke, i grew up going to John Wayne movies. when i was younger my mom use to take me to the rodeo, this was a great piece you wrote. thank you for reading my last ride to the vets. i know it is a long one, but i had so much to say i could not shorten it, and thank you for your comments and for your support.

James Fraser March 21, 2011 at 12:20 PM Love it Carolyn, even though I'm no Cowboy fan. I thoroughly enjoyed you poem. Many deserved congratulation's on your deserved in Tirzah's contest....:)

Carol Sunshine Brown March 21, 2011 at 8:01 AM A heartfelt congratulations to you Carolyn for your win in Tirzah's contest "A Cowboy Is". Love, Carol

Audrey Haick March 18, 2011 at 10:33 AM Congratulations on a wonderful 8th Place Win in Tirzah's Contest, Seafaress! I already knew this would be on the List of Winners! I'm enjoying Boston. Hung out with the crowd celebrating St. Patrick's Day thru the afternoon into early a.m. No, didn't get wasted as I hate the feeling! lol. Those days are gone! Will get to see the US Constitution as you recommended, hopefully 2morrow. Love, Annalise

Andrea Dietrich March 18, 2011 at 8:40 AM Just as I thought. A WINNER. Congratulatins, CArolyn.

Tahera Mannan March 17, 2011 at 8:28 PM Super Congratulations dear Carolyn for this win.

Tirzah Conway March 17, 2011 at 12:20 PM Absolutely amazing the way your captured every aspect of ghost towns to settlers - loved it!~Tirzah~

Judy Konos March 17, 2011 at 11:39 AM "Tombstone today haunted by sounds"....You have depicted the Cowboy .....as though a mural was painted. Excellent....Thank You

Audrey Haick March 10, 2011 at 12:31 PM Wow! I missed this one too!! This is going to be at the very top if you ask me, Carolyn! It is exceptional! Mine is lacking "umph"! lol you know what I mean. Love, Annalise

Joshua Lacey March 9, 2011 at 2:45 PM what a life it is! :)

Daver Austin March 8, 2011 at 2:48 PM My daddy played poker with Buffalo Bill Cody on the line between North Platte, Nebraska and Denver. My dad was 53 when I was born. This might explain the claim. Bill was a real cowboy, not complex, generous, and along with his show, wild. Boy, like you say, those days were different. Wyoming still has the genuine article. Love, Dave

James Tate March 8, 2011 at 9:57 AM Ya gotta love the venture of the dyed in the wool cowboys. Thanks for reviving the thoughts of this segment of early America BTW, congrats on making it through the First round of the 11/22/10 contest.

Andrea Dietrich March 7, 2011 at 7:11 AM Yes, there are still a few of them left. This was very well penned, CARolyn. I expect to see it in the winners' list for sure! Luv, Andrea

James Peranteau March 7, 2011 at 12:29 AM Picture perfect dear Carolyn ! This sure sounds like a winner ! *smiles* much love, james

Karen Croft March 6, 2011 at 7:54 AM oops!!good luck in the cowboy contest

Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen March 5, 2011 at 4:43 PM Oh my,...I did enjoy this poem! It brought big smiles.

Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen March 5, 2011 at 4:42 PM Having lived in El Paso. Texas back in the 70's near a club called The Cabaret, I got to see the "Wild Wild West" first hand. It was like in the movies...at least one broken plate glass window every couple of months...but that was the modern young buckoneers...This poem, brought back some old memories. I only went there twice. Once to see what it looked like inside and once to show it to visitors from Hawaii who were in the US for a rifle competition. I was asked to give them a tour of town.

Audrey Haick March 5, 2011 at 1:43 PM Another excellent one for Tirzah's "A Cowboy Is" Contest, Carolyn. Fantastic imagery...I know she'll like this one as you've laid it out so well..taken your readers along. Love it. Love, Annalise

Kash Poet March 5, 2011 at 11:31 AM A wonderful entry into the contest!nice story of Cowboy you have penned Carolyn.

Wilma Neels March 5, 2011 at 11:25 AM Quite a vivid look at a cowboy's life Carolyn, superb piece, especially love your ending.. Wishing you all the best for the contest, love you Wilma

Diane Locksley March 5, 2011 at 10:32 AM Clint Eastwood is such a handsome guy. If all cowboys looked as good as he does in the spaghetti westerns, I'd be riding off into the sunset searching for one. Good luck in the contest. Best to you, Diane

George Aul March 5, 2011 at 8:47 AM A very good entry for the contest...Good luck ....George

Ralph Taylor March 5, 2011 at 8:11 AM Awesome entry, Carolyn. Thoroughly enjoyed. Good luck. You and yours have a great weekend. luv Ralph

Joyce Johnson March 5, 2011 at 8:01 AM I read this last night during one of my server's lucid moments but it wouldn't let me answer. I like this very much. Yes, too many contests to do justice to them all. Hope all is well with you. Love, Joyce

Sara Kendrick March 5, 2011 at 5:52 AM Interesting lot they must have been..Of course, some had families and each time they drove catttle it was to be their last time...Enjoyed..Good luck in the contest...Reads like winning material..Sara

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