Hard Times

When hard times come they sit a spell, Like kin folk come to stay A-packin' troubles, pets an' kids That always get ‘n your way. It's drought an' flood, an' flood an' drought, There ain't much in-between. You work like hell to make ’em good, But still they’re sorta lean. The ranch went under late last year, The drought got mighty tough. The boss held-out a long, long time, But finally said, "enough!" So here I am dispatchin’ cops An’ watchin’ felons sleep, In Junction, at the county jail, A job I’ll prob’ly keep. The wife, she works at Leisure Lodge, Where older people stay, A-makin’ beds an’ moppin’ floors To earn some ‘extra’ pay. Though “extra pay‘s” the term I used, It goes to payin’ rent, An’ after all the bills are paid, We wonder where it went. We hocked my saddle, guns an' chaps, An' then our weddin' rings; Then when we couldn't pay the loan, They sold the 'dad-blamed' things. We felt real bad a day or two But then we let it go, Cause it got Christmas for the kids When money got real slow. When hard times come they sit a spell, Don't matter who you are; They'll cost ya things you've set aside, An' clean your cookie jar. You'll loose some sleep an' worry some, Won't pay to moan an' groan; But hang on to your happiness, They'll finally leave ya 'lone.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2005



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Date: 8/8/2024 4:07:00 AM
In these hard times, we are seeing ranches and farms going under because of The economy. It is a hard life, the life of a cowboy, or a farmer. But you brought positivity to a very bleak time. I enjoyed this poem.
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Date: 8/16/2022 3:18:00 AM
smooth words on hard times
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Date: 4/8/2022 6:48:00 AM
can i get an amen!!! a master work if i have ever read one...say any recommendations for lottery numbers so i can stay away from those....enjoyed every line Jim, every line
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Date: 7/20/2021 4:39:00 PM
Mr. Jim, You did a great job describing some thing familiar with most of us and all in such magnificent rhyme. loved it.
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Date: 1/1/2020 6:32:00 PM
Oh how much I can relate to this poem with a long, long spell of it.
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Jim Fish
Date: 1/1/2020 8:19:00 PM
Gosh Edmund, I think we all can. Glad you enjoyed the poem.
Date: 12/30/2019 1:14:00 PM
Hello Jim Fish, yes people go through rough times. Yes it only last a short time. They must do the best they can. Have a nice daymy friend.
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Date: 12/25/2019 6:06:00 AM
lotta b.s. and b.s. artists to contend with in life. I know too well. nice one. feel free to see or comment on mine. happy holiday. Daniel schack.
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Date: 1/10/2019 12:40:00 PM
a beautiful story of survival reminds me of 'ome when the fishery failed beautiful story accent portrayed in your words made me think of home I am from Newfoundland
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Date: 5/16/2018 7:43:00 PM
G'day Jim ... Glad I found this little gem of yours. Great topic and so well written - Lindsay
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Jim Fish
Date: 5/16/2018 7:54:00 PM
Thank you, Lindsay. Glad you was able to connect with the poem. So nice of you to take the time to comment.
Date: 6/20/2017 6:58:00 PM
This is my favorite poem so far. It's like watching an old western movie. I've lost count on how many times I've read it, but it always makes me smile. Great job!! Thank you for the blast from the past!... Roger 80]
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Date: 5/4/2017 10:54:00 PM
I loved this one. So, so true.
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Jim Fish
Date: 5/5/2017 9:41:00 AM
Thank you, Annette, for you kind words.
Date: 12/24/2015 5:43:00 PM
GREAT POEM
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Date: 10/17/2015 6:45:00 PM
Superbly put together, Jim. A real joy to read! My best regards to you. :-) john P.s A Seven!
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Date: 5/8/2015 12:28:00 PM
I love this so much! ??
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Date: 12/29/2014 1:50:00 PM
Liked that.
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Date: 10/17/2014 9:48:00 AM
Love it ,how true to words .
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Date: 2/5/2014 10:03:00 AM
This was down right funny and serious. It just makes for a good read because you hit the nail right on the head for sure.
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Date: 1/18/2014 12:07:00 PM
When I read Thomas Hardy's- the very same poet who was mistaken and worshiped as a novelist against his wishes- poems, especially 'The Valenceens', I was sad at the thought that in my generation there are not many poets who will create such perfectly musical poems, meaningful too. Now I change my opinion after singing this poem. For a moment, I was also delighted at the doubt that whether I had landed on some distant past, passing through even the perfectly old language of those times.
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Date: 6/22/2013 10:52:00 PM
Well worth the read. A work of creative art and so enjoyable to read your take on the hard times in life :) So True!
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Date: 2/5/2013 5:25:00 PM
!!!
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Date: 1/2/2013 2:54:00 PM
I have a feeling this story could be repeated in various forms all over the country. It seems many have fallen on hard times and the American dream has meaning for only a few. You must have written from experience; aside from the sadness it is brilliant.
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Date: 3/29/2011 3:57:00 AM
Cowboy poetry at its finest, Jim. Many congrats on this fine feature of the week. Elaine
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Date: 3/28/2011 6:06:00 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved featured poem this week Jim. Love, Carol
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Date: 3/27/2011 6:40:00 PM
Congratulations on your poem being featured this week, Jim
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Date: 10/30/2009 4:37:00 PM
good one there Jim! read my Hats...it's a bit cowboy! I love your verses! Light & Love (Maybe you can make me a Concrete cowboy verse..hat? peace pipe? LOL for my contest)
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