I'M A-Hangin' Up My Spurs

Hank had cowboyed and rodeoed fer nigh on forty years, Ridin' in sleet, rain and snow a-herdin' cantankerous steers. His hide was tough as leather and his legs was slightly bowed, But brandin' dogies and fixin' fences was all he ever knowed! His gut was made of iron from a diet of taters, beans and bacon. Many times he was throwed from his hoss but his will remained unshaken. He'd been bit by rattlesnakes and scarred from many barroom brawls, And kicked by many a skittish bronc while muckin' out their stalls! When tryin' to halt stampedes, Hank was often gravely gored, And was hoarse from yellin' and cussin' at that riotous horde. When shoein' hosses they often left an imprint on his chest, Where flyin' hoofs landed leavin' him angry and depressed! He didn't git rich and couldn't hoard money fer a rainy day; Not much chance of accumulatin' such on a cowpokes meager pay. His bed was usually 'neath the stars with his saddle fer a pillow, Sharin' space with his old dog Spike and an occasional armadillo! One day he up and told the boss, "I've had my fill of a cowboy's life. I'm a-quittin' as of now. My old bones is weary from all this strife. I'm saddle sore and tired of bunkhouse livin' and all yer stingin' slurs. You kin take this job and shove it 'cause I'm a-hangin' up my spurs!" Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (c) 2015 All Rights Reserved