The Man From Fred

He was a sweaty little man
But tall in the saddle
He didn't know a lot of things
But he knew 'bout cattle

He was born just outside of Fred,
Almost a town - not quite
First thing he saw was sand and dust-
That's all there was in sight

He was born to be a cowboy
Weren't no doubt about that
So he didn't stay in Fred too long-
Went where the cows was fat

His Pa had a section of dirt
One square mile of mesquite
Twenty acres to feed one cow
And it was short on meat

He went to work at age fourteen
An' learned the cowboy's trade
He broke some bones an' got heat stroke
An' sometimes got afraid

Well, that went on for twenty years
'Til all his folks was dead
The land that he had once called home
Was his outside of Fred

He rode home on a borrowed hoss
A dollar in his boot
Had the look of a busted man
Who didn't give a hoot

He rode in through the old ranch gate
All he could do was stare
The place was covered with strangers
Drillin' rigs everywhere

Said they were drillin' for his pa
When he just up and died
So now they guessed that he was boss
An' he swelled up with pride

Well, he got rich, no need to say -
Returned the hoss an' all
Then took the dollar from his boot
An' nailed it to the wall

He drives a brand new pickup now
A Stetson on his head
He ain't a sweaty little man
Now he's The Man from Fred



April, 2016
Judged N/A 
For contest 100 In A Row - 11
Date Finalized 8/18/2016

For contest Take The Dagger From My Heart, Please
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Gauthier Avatar
January 16, 2021 at 8:47 AM
Great story, Larry ~ you're a natural at these cowboy poems
Negron Flores Avatar
September 19, 2016 at 11:05 AM
Congratulations Larry on the placement of the contest.
La France Avatar
September 14, 2016 at 12:42 PM
Larry, congratulations on your win in my contest with this great write ~
Bradfield Avatar
September 14, 2016 at 2:08 PM
Thank you for the "second chance"..lots of fun and I'm glad you liked Fred
Allison Avatar
September 13, 2016 at 5:11 PM
Very amusing Larry congrats on your win:-) hugs jan xx
Bradfield Avatar
September 14, 2016 at 2:06 PM
Thanks, Jan..I appreciate it..Larry
Scars Avatar
September 13, 2016 at 4:25 PM
Larry, congratulations on your placement :)-luloo
Bradfield Avatar
September 14, 2016 at 2:06 PM
Thank you, luloo..I appreciate your kindness
Hoffman Avatar
April 16, 2016 at 9:59 PM
By jove you've done it again! Very funny again Larry! You have a very good cowboy imagination!:)
Bradfield Avatar
April 17, 2016 at 5:32 AM
Thank you Cheryl!! Always appreciated!
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