Life has changed a cowboy’s course,
rides a truck more than a horse.
Still, loves the feel of a saddle,
takes great pride in raising cattle.
No female wranglers in days of yore,
now, they handle banter, perform any chore.
All work hard for weekly pay,
chasing strays, keeping prey away.
Enjoy a faithful dog,
and warmth of a blazing campfire log.
Raise alfalfa, but no simple baler,
need a forklift and a semi-trailer.
Appreciate the smell of fresh hay,
and sunsets at the end of a good day.
Open range and trail drives are long past,
yet the lure of the prairie holds fast.
At sunset, continues to pray;
at the end of the week, still likes to play.
Jeral Williams is a retired professor and late-in-life poet. He was raised in the West and now lives in the South. His love for the West has never waned.