A Mule Named Jack

Now its purty well knowed that cowpokes prefer to ride a horse,
An' movin' pitchers show 'em astride prancin' horses of course.
But Hank, a cow-puncher fer many years ain't like th' usual pack;
He prefers to mount a cantankerous mule that he calls Jack!

Ol' Jack sets th' rules in most matters, keepin' Hank on his toes.
Its joked 'mongst his pards that he's bein' led around by his nose!
Jack has a mean kick leavin' hoof marks imprinted on Hank's chest!
Hank's a stubborn one but in stubbornness, he comes in second best!

Jack'll sit on his haunches when Hank tries to tighten th' cinch.
Hank'll yell an' cuss tryin' to saddle him but Jack won't give a inch!
In his own sweet time Jack'll rise on all fours allowin' Hank astraddle.
What a sight they is gallopn' along, Hank tryin' to remain in th' saddle!

When Hank tries to lasso dogies, th' rope gits tangled in Jack's feet.
(Th' trail boss gits irate with Hank usin' language I dare not repeat!)
Both Hank and Jack is useless in th' corral on annual brandin' day;
Says th' boss, "Both you an' yer mule git lost an' stay outta th' way!"

I reckon cowboys who use mules fer ridin' th' trail is mighty few,
But them that does says tho' they is 'mulish', they is steadfast an' true.
When he gits ornery, Hank'll whisper sweet nothin's in Jack's ears,
Like bein' put out to stud for the enjoyment of his retirement years!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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Date: 8/3/2020 11:08:00 AM
Oh, what fun this poem is, Bob! I remember riding a donkey on a narrow path at the Grand Canyon as a child. Of course, mules have both donkey and horse genes in them, so maybe that's what makes them so ornery! It seems like Hank might get fired if he keeps riding Jack. Enjoyed this immensely! Hugs, Carolyn
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Date: 8/2/2020 8:39:00 PM
Great stuff, Bob. And what a tradition you've tapped into --- goes all the way back to Balaam and his stubborn mule. Heh, heh. Thanks for the chuckles!! Best always, Gershon
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Robert L. Hinshaw
Date: 8/3/2020 9:30:00 AM
Glad you enjoyed and thanks for pointing out Balaam and his ass! (Oops - Soup will probably give me a demerit for using that nasty word!!!) Have a wonderful week ahead, Gershon, and all those weeks to ensue. Bob
Date: 8/1/2020 10:22:00 PM
I have enjoyed this write. If I could write cowboy poems like this I could use the type of poetry marked cowboy. I always look at longingly. This sounds like cowboys! Great job Bob. Pun intended.
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Robert L. Hinshaw
Date: 8/2/2020 6:42:00 AM
Thank you Caren - glad you enjoyed. I enjoyed your comment. I follow you on soup but forgive me for not commenting on your splendid work more often. Bob
Date: 8/1/2020 9:59:00 PM
G'day Bob ... sometimes I like to think the animal and the owner are almost one and the same; cantankerous and refusal to obey commands. Perhaps Hank learns a lot about how to live life from Jack - another fine yarn Bob and thank you - Lindsay
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Robert L. Hinshaw
Date: 8/2/2020 6:40:00 AM
Thank you, Lindsay and happy you could interpret the cowpoke lingo! Enjoyed your kind comment. Hope to come up with some more western. Stay steady, old Mate. Bob
Date: 8/1/2020 8:25:00 PM
Studdin' be fuel for heel hemmed mule! Very funny poem. Kept it paced brilliantly throughout. Excellently knitted together, all the way. Thanks for putting this adorable idea forward, Robert!
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Robert L. Hinshaw
Date: 8/2/2020 6:38:00 AM
Thank you. I'm happy you enjoyed the write, Sigrid. I live in the west and love to write western stuff.
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