Snowstorm

Ranchin' ain't easy, an' it don't get no better when chores are plum' awful on account a the weather. Storm clouds start gatherin' above the horizon- I dig out long-handles, I hate 'em like pi'son. A cold wind starts blowin', chills a man to the bone. The future is troublin' out here on my own. The house starts to creak but stands up to the storm- another log on the fire keeps it cozy an' warm. I pull on my old coat 'n boots--pretty worn, turn up my collar, an' head for the barn. Snows blowin' sideways an' stingin' my face, I think I'm half crazy to stay on this place. Wind keeps a howlin', snows pile up an' drift. If I don't find them cattle, they may fall off a cliff. With my trusty ol' horse, we herd some to corral- we've been long together so he's more like a pal. This task is repeated, in hastened routine, while the storm grows more fierce, angry, an' mean. I take to my bed in wee hours of morn, tired an' half froze, wish I'd never been born. The fire's dyin' down, burrow deep in my quilt, complain to my maker, then, feel plum' fulla guilt. 'Cause I know He saved me from that terrible storm as my limbs start to thaw, an' body gets warm. Last thing on my mind as I drift off to sleep, "Lord, I'm sure grateful this cowboy you keep!"