Reminisces of An Old Cowpoke

Hank lounged on his porch watchin' the sun slowly sinkin' in the west.
He'd cowboyed for nigh on sixty years and figgered he'd done his best.
Hank and his faithful hoss Old Dan was now enjoyin' their leisure years,
And he had time to recall his ranchin' days while tossin' back some beers!

He was so bow-legged from ridin' saddle he looked like a pair of pliers!
His hands was stained and gnarled from roll-yer-owns and mendin' wires.
He'd hung up his spurs, chaps and well-worn saddle without regret,
But he wore his scruffy boots, leather vest, jeans and sombrero yet.

He shuddered recalling stormy nights that spooked the wild-eyed steers,
Causin' hell-raisin' stampedes that endangered him and his peers.
He remembered more peaceful times ridin' herd with cattle happily grazin',
And a time or two chasin' cussed' rustlers with his .44 guns a-blazin'!

He swore he'd never eat another bean, tater or bacon in his life,
Since that's all Cooky knowed how to fix, a subject of constant strife!
He recalled how he stammered when meetin' ladies in many a saloon,
Which left him pawin' the floor with his pointy boots, feelin' like a goon!

Hank remembered cattle drives and in Abilene drawin' his meager pay,
Spendin' it on rot-gut whiskey and schemin' wimmin, blowin' it all away.
Hank peered into the distance and gazed at a lone pine tree in the vale,
Thinkin', "I want to be planted there when I've reached the end of the trail!"

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Laurie Avatar
March 22, 2016 at 1:25 AM
G'day Bob ... Hank is the man I envisage as being in the old western movies - great job - Lindsay
Mcclain Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 9:32 PM
Hi Robert, That is epic, my friend. If Cowboy poetry is a genre, this has to be one of the bets of all time. Fantastic rough-edged character, wonderfully portrayed and fleshed out. couplet by couplet--just great! Cheers, Brian
Quigley Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 8:49 PM
Very nice. Paints the scene and the character well.
Marcum Wong Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 8:26 PM
Robert, your poem is so entertaining and delightful to read. I was right there with Hank in vivid colors! #7 ;)
Lamoureux Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 7:20 PM
I like a good cowboy tale and this one hit the mark.
Gorelick Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 6:28 PM
thank you! this is just what I needed!. You do "cowboy" like no one else. BG
Turner Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 6:10 PM
Really a fun read, Robert. I love old cowboy stories, movies and all things western. Really enjoyed the read, Thanks for letting me play cowboy again:)
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