Robert L. Hinshaw Poet Rhyme

A Real Colorady Cowboy

We stopped fer a bite at the Gooseberry Patch, I reckon it wuz a week er so ago.
I wuz slurpin' my usual bowl uv chili - Boys! That stuff'll set yer ears aglow!
My spouse wuz toyin with her salad anticipatin' a slab uv gooseberry pie,
When I noticed a feller settin' next to us a-wearin' a Stetson hat and bolo tie.

He wuz nursin' a Coors Beer - better known in these parts as Colorady Kool Aid.
He wuz wearin' jeans and cowboy boots - it 'peared that his shirt wuz tailor made.
I ain't the most observant feller but I could tell he'd spent years in the saddle.
As he ambled to our table, his bowlegs confirmed that he'd spent years astraddle!

He nodded and said, "Howdy!", and we chatted about the weather and this and that.
He wuz a little hard uv hearin' so we invited him to our table to continue our chat.
I reckoned he wuz about 65 er so and could be taken fer the Marlboro Man.
He wuz a little over six foot tall and frum his ranchin' days sported a handsome tan!

He talked about ownin' a ranch jes' east uv Colorady Springs and the cowpokes life.
Sayin' that cowboyin' ain't all that glamorous and the challenges that are so rife.
He'd done some rodeoin' up in Wyomin' ridin' wild broncs and a-ropin' steers,
And wuz a prominent rodeo jedge travelin' about the west in his younger years.

When I told him I dabbled in western poetry his eyes lit up like the mornin' sun!
He's a writer uv western lore and is retired, now that his cowboyin' days is done.
We were privileged indeed to meet him, perhaps the last uv that stalwart breed.
We made a new friend that day, a real Colorady cowboy by the name of Chuck Reid!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved

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Lindsay Laurie August 21, 2018 at 9:58 PM G'day Bob … these blokes are worth their weight in gold for writers of bush ballads and life on the land. Their stories of times that are disappearing as the Internet age takes over must be penned - thanks Bob - Lindsay Robert L. Hinshaw August 22, 2018 at 8:21 AM Howdy, Pard! This is a true story, Lindsay that occurred a few years ago in a restaurant south of Colorado Springs called the Gooseberry Patch and we became fast friends with a real cowpoke, Chuck Reid. He was also a retired teacher and did some rodeoing among his other adventurous careers. I'm a-thankin' you for your kind comments - Bob

Daver Austin October 18, 2010 at 3:28 PM Sounds like the Castle Rock area, or Littleton in the good old days with a bar every other store downtown. Fortunately, LIttleton is liveable now. There are some wide open spaces east of the Springs. Rattlers and all. I like this poem o' yourn muchissimo! Dave

Ralph Taylor October 17, 2010 at 4:17 PM Wow, Sarge. Really enjoyed this one. Excellent. Ralphie

Sidney Hall Mad Poet October 15, 2010 at 3:54 PM Bob, another unique and brilliant poem. I alway want to call you Sir Robert. it has a nice ring to it. consider yourself Knighted. I'll ring Queeny and tell her to process it :-)

Charles Henderson October 14, 2010 at 7:49 PM Nice take on that chance meeting, Bob. Good write. Charles

Skat A October 14, 2010 at 5:56 PM Hello, Bob~ENJOYED YOUR POEM~ Here I find myself all over the soup again. Stopping by to read many poems, before my crazy KIDS make me log out. I had a really nice time reading and catching up with you poets. Have a wonderful night*luv~SKAT"

Carolyn Devonshire October 14, 2010 at 11:05 AM Hey, Bob, I remember you talking about running into this fellow. This is a great description of your cowboy encounter and I'm sure you'll be sending Chuck a copy of the poem. Love the way you used the dialogue! Great work, my friend. Love, Carolyn

Linda-Marie Sweetheart October 13, 2010 at 7:24 PM So wonderful Bob from the great title to the entire piece luv.. this was similar to the other poem about meeting this man right? so enjoyable a story my friend.. with luv.. enjoyed...again...

Poet Destroyer A October 13, 2010 at 6:59 PM Once again BoB, enjoyed your poem, glad you posted one before I head out. I wish I could say that about Texas, but any wonder or memory here are not all that. have a nice one,..p.d.