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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

Date: 4/7/2011 11:00:00 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

Date: 3/21/2011 12:20:00 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

Date: 3/21/2011 8:01:00 AM

A heartfelt congratulations to you Carolyn for your win in Tirzah's contest "A Cowboy Is". Love, Carol

Audrey Haick

Date: 3/18/2011 10:33:00 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

Date: 3/18/2011 8:40:00 AM

Just as I thought. A WINNER. Congratulatins, CArolyn.

Tahera Mannan

Date: 3/17/2011 8:28:00 PM

Super Congratulations dear Carolyn for this win.

Tirzah Conway

Date: 3/17/2011 12:20:00 PM

Absolutely amazing the way your captured every aspect of ghost towns to settlers - loved it!~Tirzah~

Judy Konos

Date: 3/17/2011 11:39:00 AM

"Tombstone today haunted by sounds"....You have depicted the Cowboy .....as though a mural was painted. Excellent....Thank You

Audrey Haick

Date: 3/10/2011 12:31:00 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

Date: 3/9/2011 2:45:00 PM

what a life it is! :)

Daver Austin

Date: 3/8/2011 2:48:00 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

Date: 3/8/2011 9:57:00 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

Date: 3/7/2011 7:11:00 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

Date: 3/7/2011 12:29:00 AM

Picture perfect dear Carolyn ! This sure sounds like a winner ! *smiles* much love, james

Karen Croft

Date: 3/6/2011 7:54:00 AM

oops!!good luck in the cowboy contest

Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen

Date: 3/5/2011 4:43:00 PM

Oh my,...I did enjoy this poem! It brought big smiles.

Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen

Date: 3/5/2011 4:42:00 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

Date: 3/5/2011 1:43:00 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

Date: 3/5/2011 11:31:00 AM

A wonderful entry into the contest!nice story of Cowboy you have penned Carolyn.

Wilma Neels

Date: 3/5/2011 11:25:00 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

Date: 3/5/2011 10:32:00 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

Date: 3/5/2011 8:47:00 AM

A very good entry for the contest...Good luck ....George

Ralph Taylor

Date: 3/5/2011 8:11:00 AM

Awesome entry, Carolyn. Thoroughly enjoyed. Good luck. You and yours have a great weekend. luv Ralph

Joyce Johnson

Date: 3/5/2011 8:01:00 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

Date: 3/5/2011 5:52:00 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