What is Cowboy Poetry?
Cowboy poetry has roots that go back to the trail driving era, which started in the early 1800's. Ever since there have been cowboys, they have been writin', rhymin', and entertainin' with songs and poems about the old west. Today, cowboy poets continue this wonderful old oral tradition that helps preserve and promote the true heritage of ranching, farming and rodeo. Cowboy poetry comes straight from the heart and is an open and honest expression of western life as experienced by the men and women who write it. Their poetry, usually written in free ranging rhyming verse, is filled with honour, nostalgia and a fair bit of wisdom.
Cowpatties and Prose
I write poetry from my heart from my experiences and from observing our wonderful world around us that God has filled with such beautiful things. "Have You Ever Felt The Stillness" was given to me in the middle of the night after I'd woke up frozen on the couch. As I passed my computer room door suddenly He gave me these words. I sat down and in about 5 minutes typed it out and saved it. The late Lloyd Dolen told me it is probably the best poem I have ever written. That coming from Lloyd meant so much to me and I miss him so.
Have You Ever Felt The Stillness
Have you ever felt the stillness while walking through the pine?
The feeling of being close to God, that He is with you all the time!
Have you felt His touch in the gentleness of the breeze?
Or experienced the desire surrounded by nature to get down on your knees.
The forest is His temple and all therein His creation,
So come to Him all His people from the littlest child to the leaders of our nation.
Get down on your knees there amongst the towering pine,
Maybe you will heard God's word and from Him receive a sign.
Have you ever felt the stillness while walking through the pine?
The feeling of being close to God, that He is with you all the time!
Take time to watch the beaver work under the hot noon sun,
Even they take time out to enjoy the quiet though their work is not yet done.
So we need to take a lesson from them and set aside the time,
To leave behind our busy lives, get close to Him out there in the pine.
The time you spend in natures cathedral will only be the start,
He will bring you peace and contentment there, that peace will open up your heart.
Have you ever felt the stillness while walking through the pine?
The feeling of being close to God, that He is with you all the time.
Dianne Brandson (November 1, 2000 2:24AM)
"Farm Auction Sign" was written after I had been driving around one day and saw probably twenty farms listed for sale and then I came up to a place where a farm sale was going on. I salute the farmers and ranchers who have worked so hard all their lives and now are facing such hard times but they still keep going on faith that things will get better and this truly is "next year country".
Farm Auction Sign
The sign reads Farm Auction Sale today.
The barn roof is starting to sag,
And fluttering in the breeze are remnants of an old British flag.
The farm has been in this family for over a hundred years,
The granddaughter tells me through her tears.
My granddad and dad were both born in this old house,
Then she became quiet as a church mouse.
There are so many memories on a place with so much history
There are many tales to be told and even a little mystery.
Many children climbed the stairs as off to bed they were sent;
Now the steps are saggy and worn and the handrail a little bent.
The old wood stove that had cooked so many a meal was replaced by an
electric about ten years ago,
Grandma figured she's better upgrade and go with the flow.
Well grandma died two years ago and that left grandpa all alone,
But we keep in touch with him by phone.
My dad doesn't want to take over the farm the granddaughter says,
He has moved on to a different career; doesn't want to follow the old ways.
But I wish I was older, I'd like to keep the farm,
It has a special place in my heart with its memories and country charm.
The sign reads Farm Auction Sale today,
Many treasured possessions will be going far away.
The old piano and a few old milk cans,
And even to the auction block will go Gran's old cast iron fry pans.
The old horse collars will end up in some collectors home,
No longer on a Percherons neck will they around the grain field roam.
The buildings and the land are on the auction block as well,
It's hard to see the old place sell.
The sign reads Farm Auction Sale today,
Grandma's gone and now Grandpa is going away
Dianne Brandson, (August 19, 2000 Stony Plain Gathering, 11 PM)
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