Ride ‘Em, Cowboy!

Way back when I was a young lad,
my family was citified.
An old horse our country aunt had
offered any brave child a ride.

On one Sunday visit there, all
my older cousins had their turn.
I wanted to ride. “I won’t fall!”
My father was filled with concern.

My aunt said, “That old nag just plods
along. It would be safe, I’m sure.”
Dad asks to ride him first. She nods;
horse and Dad head down the pasture.

At the far end ran a small road;
a passing car loudly backfired.
The horse had speed he never showed;
getting to the barn he desired.

That horse galloped at breakneck pace.
I recall the scene to this day.
A look of terror on Dad’s face,
he shouted words old sailors say.

They arrived at a barbed wire fence.
What came next I’ve remembered since:

The horse cleared the wire! Dad stayed on.
Seeing the low barn door, Dad jumped,
landing on his back with a groan.
How they’d made that fence left all stumped.

Dad lay on the ground. To my joy
he was unhurt, just a tad dazed.
Dad had ridden like a cowboy!
His fence jump left me quite amazed.

My chances of riding horses
ended with that gallop and leap.
While need to race wildly courses
through them, no cowboy in me sleeps!


I invite you to please check out my ten books:
http://www.amazon.com/Jr.-Harry-E.-Gilleland/e/B004SVLY02/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0