These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Fort Worth, My Hometown

The place I lived when I was born
was Fort Worth, Texas, y'all.
The mem'ries I these years have worn
are from my small recall.

You wonder why that could be so.
It was because we left
when my Dad's job, it made us go.
Uprootment was quite deft.

I was just five when we went north
to Rochester, N-Y,
but six months later returned us forth
to say another "goodbye."

I've been away near sixty years.
Those mem'ries linger on.
Apartment "pictures" are still clear,
and school 'til he was done.

But not much else can my mind see,
I'd like to visit soon,
if money and the time could free,
more mem'ries there to boon.

A cowboy's blood I've always had,
but a mount to ride I've not.
A Western life can't be half-bad,
but the Southern life I've got.

A hardy bunch we've always been
a-mucking cattle plop.
Last night the doggies' bully sin
caused something similar to drop.

Back to work all cowboys, now
with shovels at your side,
'cause what they left to take a bow
is naught but puppy pride.

We've smelled like poo before last night.
We muck the stalls so clean.
The future still can be quite bright.
Just trailer all their mean.

We're Texans. We live really big.
We stand when they do beat.
Next time we'll tug of our own swig
with UGA's in defeat.

Let this be your best training cry,
"Remember the Alamo and Daniel Boone."
Defeats we can't deny,
but vict'ries will come soon.

What bullies may forget at first,
will keep us soldiering on!
For victories in our lives we thirst,
until with God, we're gone.

by Jay O’Toole
on January 10th, 2023