Slow Day at the Ranch

AJs Western Wear recently held a poetry contest and here’s the winner. Thanks Robyn and Carol for permission to reprint.

The poet is Rowdy Yates (love that name!), a true cowboy who managed the Shooting Star Ranch in Gardiner, Montana with his wife Kristen. The couple have two boys, Cody and Colt, who ride broncs and bucs.

It’s a slow day here at the ranch
40 head of horses fed, then watered down at the branch

I rode through the cows and doctored three
Then cut down that ol leanin tree

I cut it all up, but only got 2 cords
I hauled it in, then fixed those broke fence boards

I shod two geldings, and put to ridin’ a filly
She only bucked once, so I branded that bay mule, Willie

I changed the oil in that old Dodge truck
Then dang if I didn’t go get it stuck

I hitched the team and pulled it free
Then the storm clouds were brewin as far as I could see

So I headed to the barn to get outta the rain
All that and I have nothin to gain

It’s rainin real bad and I need to work soon
I may never finish this day, and it’s only noon