Debra Coppinger Hill | + Follow Poet |
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Common Sense, Men and Horses / Short Version

We perched atop the corral, 
   as he read the men and horses, 
And he told me about common sense 
   and it’s amazing, magical forces. 
 
We watched the men choose their mounts, 
   some were firm, but kind; 
While others used plain brute force, 
   to make their horses mind. 
 
He said,” Dealing with horses and people  
   is a special kind of art. 
If you watch ‘em work, you'll learn 
   what is truly in a man’s heart. 
 
For though it once was common place, 
   common sense ain’t common any more 
And many of the basic rules of life, 
   some folks will choose to ignore. 
 
The truth is just as obvious 
   as these fellows working the pens. 
There will always be Cowboys 
   as long as there are horses and men. 
 
And just as it takes all kinds of horses, 
   from renegades to leaders to make a herd; 
There will also always be outlaws 
   as well as men true to their word. 
 
You see, a man who can’t, 
   will often bully his way through, 
And how a man treats his horse 
   is how he’ll end up treating you. 

The decisions that we make 
  should be rooted in our common sense. 
Like horses, we should use our instincts, 
   or be prepared to accept the consequence." 
 
We watched ‘em work for hours, 
   as I hung on every word he had to say; 
About life, love and horses; 
   how God hears us when we pray. 
 
I simply took it for granted 
   that he would always be, 
Sitting on that fence rail, 
   talking and laughing with me. 
 
Time makes changes as it passes by; 
   I grew up and followed my star. 
But in times of trouble I’d hear his voice, 
   saying “Remember who’s child you are.” 
 
He taught me to read the world 
   though I didn’t know it at the time. 
I learned about strength and self-respect; 
   how to recognize the best in mankind. 
 
Oh, I made mistakes, but have no regrets, 
   for each is valuable in it’s own way. 
Combined with his words and an education, 
   they are a part of who I am today. 
 
So I honor this Cowboy philosopher, 
   who taught me to follow my heart’s voice; 
To see things exactly for what they are 
   and that happiness is a choice. 

And nothing ever really gets me down, 
   because of these things I can be sure; 
That home is where the heart is, 
   and that love will forever endure. 
 
I realize all those things I learned, 
   from books and college courses, 
Will never hold a candle to his lesson, 
   on common sense, and men and horses.

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