I heard about my grandpa's friend Paul
The other day when I just happened to be
At the horse sale leaning over a stall.
I remember at the sale he always was the man to see,
But it seems he isn't doing so well anymore.
They put him in the old folk's home, but that's bad to say,
So instead they said they'd put him out to pasture, to ride no more,
Or at least that's what his fellow cowboys would say.

I remember that man in the saddle, sitting tall
With that look in his eyes that said he loved horses.
That's what my grandpa talked about with his friend Paul,
Not Old Al's drinkin' problem, or their kid's divorces.
He always had an eye for a horse of a certain stature.
He needed a horse to match his own height, that's all.
He bought a horse there sometimes, but he wasn't a bid snatcher.
Yes, He is a good man, one of the best, Old Paul.

Now his son Charlie brings Paul's horses to sale,
And he puts his great grandson up in the saddle.
You know 'cus it's Paul's horse that it'd take you through hell,
Or bear you across a rough river herding cattle.
But I wonder what he's thinkin' in the nursin' home,
And wonder what he would say if he'd been the one who saw
The sad faces that knew he'd never more roam
When they saw that boy on his horse instead of Paul.


It's me! Angelia (Keeper)! Man have I missed ya'll. Be nice with this one. I haven't actually written anything seriously in a long time. True story too. Not really my style, but I was asked to do it. Hi guys!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/14/2008 02:22AM by OhDear.

Hi, Angelia. Good to have you back.

A moving tribute, this one, to an old cowboy. I don't think I have seen a poem before that looks at a horse sale from that aspect. The usual angle is lament for the horse, i.e. sadness that the-good-old-horse-that-served-him-many-days is no longer valued and wanted.

Ian

Thanks a billion Ian!

I suppose this one probably would have turned out that way if I hadn't had a clear idea of the subject. As it is it doesn't do him justice because I have only fleeting memories of the man. And I wasn't even at the sale the day that this sorta takes place. I suppose I was just writing a lot of fiction based on some truth. Oh pooh....I don't like this nearly as much as I did. think think think

Angelia:

Great to see you back! This is excellent, and the last four lines are especially poignant. I'm always struck by the blank stares on the faces of the residents in the nursing home where my brother-in-law now lives and, like you, "I wonder what he's (and they're) thinkin' in the nursin' home."

Stay with us.

Joe

Ah, music to my ears....you're back! Missed you much. Love the poem. Sadly reminds me of the years my mom spent in the nursing home and the years I worked in one.

It was always interesting to see how some people thrive in that environment while others not so much. For those who enjoyed other people more than anything else, social butterflies, or those who made a hobby out of knowing everybody else's business, you could watch them come to life and regain many of their previously lost abilities. But for others who spent their lives devoted to a particular activity or hobby like working a farm or travelling the world, it was more like the end of the road. It didn't matter how great the Activity Department was, there are some things you just can't replicate.

I liked the ending too.

Great to have you back, my dear.

Marty

hey, welcome back!

this place was missing you. your poem was very moving. dang, but life hurts at times.

OhDear,

I think this got us all thinking about our parents. Even me at 63. My spouse reviving the spirits of my mom when we visited mom at the nursing home by Brenda insisting she and I take my mom to the beach in the afternoon. The light in mom's eyes -- to be out of that place for an afternoon. To put her hand on Brenda's belly and feel the movement of her next grandchild.

It is a great service for you to be "writing a lot of fiction based on some truth." For me, it makes my mother alive to me one more time.

Maybe that is just sentimentality for some people, but for me, that is where people go when they die...to those who remember them.

Thanks,

Peter

Nicely done, Keeper. Good to see you posting again. Care to tell us how to re-register in case there are others out there who wish to re-join us here.


Les

Hey Joe!

It's great to be back, and I suppose we all know someone in a nursing home. My favorite part is the end too. Thanks!

Mary,

So very glad to see you're still here! It's true that nursing homes just can't give you everything you need. Thank you very much!

Yo Red!

I'm glad the place was missing me. Thanks ever so much for reading!

Dear Peter,

Is anyone more sweet than you? I feel better about this piece now. Thanks Darlin'.

Les,

Thanks. AND it was actually what ya'll suggested. I just had to create a new e-mail account and register with it. I had tried that before and it didn't work...guess the timing had to be right.

At any rate, I'm very glad to be back. I've missed writing for ya'll.

Note on the poem

I read this to my father today, rather reluctantly, but was surprised and touched that he enjoyed it. When I looked up he was actually crying. As I think I stated earlier, he requested this poem. I wasn't quite ready for him to hear it, but I'm glad I got it over with. I would never have done it without prodding.

He's taken to reciting old cowboy poetry recently and I've been told that he might try to learn mine. I can't even say how much that moves me.



Thanks everybody here for helping me become the writer I am, and for continuing to help me grow (cuz I so need it).

bump

Okay, am I wrong, but is Keeper, Oh Dear, also Angelsfear?

Important question is Keeper, Oh Dear here?

I don't think Keeper is here, Merc. Neither is she Angels Fear, Bruce who is not from the U.S.

Les

Ya I know he's a canuk. But he lives in one of the most beautiful spots on this planet.

Thanks Terry, I haven‘t travelled as much as I would like to have and have only seen parts of Canada and the USA, but other than Maine, I have to agree with you.

I have to admit Vancouver Island and Jasper National Park are probably two of the most scenic areas I've ever seen. But I've never been to Alaska; it's on my list.

Les