Long Ponderosa Poems

History's Sad Song (Revised)

throughout my life
I've heard many a sad song
relating to the lyrics
that seemed to play too long

way back during the Crusade
where religious debt was paid
by the bloodlust of so many
could not ye God...

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The Nez Perce Indians who lead lean lives on these knolls and river brooks
have a style of soul that sneaks into the songs of the sun
and plays on the prayers in the patience of their...

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A Trite Nihilistic Occasion   

This doodling Yankee 
(boot noah dandy) 
doth newt lack chutzpah, 
tries to finagle Fitbit 
fitting figurative footwear, 
that ideally Fitzhugh 
like custom made glove snugly, 
terrifically, unequivocally matching, 
thence...

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This doodling Yankee (boot noah dandy) 
doth newt lack chutzpah, 
tries to finagle Fitbit fitting figurative footwear, 
that ideally Fitzhugh 
like custom made glove snugly, 
terrifically, unequivocally matching, 
thence handily solving Finger hut issue, 
when...

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a walker, I.


A walker fancying himself
a hiker, on a walk, self-narrated as
an expedition.

The incline is gentle, consistent,
insistent and yet i insist,
as i am inclined to do,
to think it steeper.
In fact, to think deeper,
about most things.

a...

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I like to watch skeins of geese flying in the autumn sky,
And I like the smell of frying bacon and luscious cherry pie!

I like to see the sun tinting Pikes Peak's crown in the early...

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The shows I watched when young were black and white.
About five channels came on day and night. 
The Beaver, Opie, Jeanie, Flying Nun
were characters I liked both good and fun.

Shows of humor sometimes missed their...

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Although I hardly gave it a thought
I didn't really doubt
our miniature juniper, a bonsai,
would survive our desert vacation.
                 ...

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In the spring of 1880 young Clifford Griffin immigrated from England to Colorado.
The death of his fiancee left him bereft and he was searchin' for his El Dorado.
He settled in Silver Plume where he and...

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I reckon to us city dudes an' ordinary blokes it seems somewhat strange,
But a cowpoke an' his horse become pards when ridin' the lonely range!
Pausin' fer a roll-yer-own under a ponderosa after a hot ride...

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A cowboy don't need no plushy pew or a rantin' preacher,
Pontificatin' from his pulpit aerie as his spiritual teacher!
He gits his religion from (to him) a more gratifyin' source,
Cherishin' God's Great Creation from the saddle...

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"I've rode the range now fer nigh on sixty years,
Brandin' dogies and ropin' them wily Hereford steers.
When I come to the end of the trail, I don't want no big scenes.
Boys, jes' wrap me in...

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One night I dreamed I wandered, weary in a desert
until a clear blue water lake emerged ahead
midst the new pine landscape of my dream.
Four specks far away, approaching. . .
soon turned into four strong ranchers...

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Feathery snowflakes as large as silver dollars waft slowly to the ground!
It's been snowing since yesterday and in the house we are cozily bound.
It has blanketed the lawn and adorned the ponderosa with garlands so...

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Born of smoke and fire glow
In those blazing summers of long ago
Little mountaintop pagodas
Wooden cabs with cute cupolas
Guardians of the grand Sequoia
Douglas fir and ponderosa

Where vigil kept with eagle eyes
Spotted smokes of wildland fires
Called the...

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When I glanced out my window on this bleak December morn,
My eyes were drawn to the Ponderosa Pine standing so forlorn.
Gradually, as if decorated by God's own Artistic Hand,
'Twas soon bedecked with colorful ornaments so...

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Hank lounged on the bunkhouse porch tossin' back some beers,

Watchin' the sunset and reminiscin' about his cowboyin' years.

He peered at the sun 'twixt the pointy toes of his shabby boots

Propped on the railin', that he'd...

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Late sixties cowboy films Bonanza, Rawhide
And Cheyenne – I loved these series.
Their theme songs come to mind ‘Wishing 
‘My gal was by my side’( Rawhide,)
Waiting at the end of my ride
‘Keep movin,’ movin’, movin,
Just rope...

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I needn't don a tuxedo nor pay a dime to enjoy a pleasing symphony!
In my own back yard or lying abed at night I hear nature's harmony!
The rolling bass of thunder, the strobe-bright lightning on...

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Walk in woods enriching and serene
Draws gratitude quieting garrulous mind

Tranquil forests of breathtaking peaks
Whisper softly building profound links

Soaring trees of Oaks, Conifers and Ponderosa Pines
Form deep rooted networks in robust mountain brims

Sweet bonding and affection...

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Gray shrouds cover my way
sets the tone for the day.
Our silent sun sends
rays running round corners
slowly beams burn off -
melting morning misty mind.

As I tread these stone slabs
rapt in wonder of this awe,
great stone bones...

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The morning mists falling from Snapdragon eyes
Standing on high peaks viewing the verve of diversity
Starlit nights viewing the galactic milieu painted above
The promise once made now viewed after the rainstorm…
In these moments I see the...

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He crawled from his bunk stiflin' a hearty yawn.
His work began each day at the very crack of dawn.
He donned his jeans, chaps and old slouch hat,
Pulled on his cowboy boots and strapped on his...

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The Grand Canyon is like the brain
with deep, unexplored fissures and tributaries, 
the main route well known by now.

I am walking, walking inside my mind, 
a grand canyon, a planet of canyons, a system
of planets....

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saguaros 
guardians of the sonora
a battalion wafting 
in one hundred degree heat 
standing sentry on granite slopes
vertical green etches
in carmel cliffs
literally--litter the foothills

rising up the mountain 
saguaros fall away

ocotillos remain
their leafy tentacles flailing
like upside down...

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