THE LITTLEST COWBOY

THE LITTLEST COWBOY

Pen: A.Teveluwe’
Copyright: James R. Gauselman

Dedication: “For my grandsons, whom I carry in my thoughts daily."


My boots are torn and scruffy
The shine is worn away
My spurs are dull, don’t jingle
I won’t be home today.

The trail’s been long and lonely
Through sagebrush, desert sand, and snow
Just me and my pony, Festus,
Headin’ for the big rodeo show.

We’ve dreamt on many a moonlit night
Of adventures far and wide
But this is our first together,
Seeking a very special prize.

It won’t be long before the trail will end
Around a tree or bend
At our hope-filled destination we’ll arrive
After many a tired stride.

And there we see it before us, the tiny drifters’ town
All dusty, rugged and saddled with age
People all bustling about
In anticipation of a very exciting day.

“Celebration,” one child cries out!
As bullets sting the air.
“We’re going to have a party…,” he pointed,
“It’ll all take place over there.”

As we crossed the town center
Under banners in the breeze waved
We passed the county seat and stables
While the blacksmith’s old mare neighed.

And just outside the edge of town
In a makeshift hayseed pen
The townspeople gathered hastily
While the livestock stomped and frowned.

“I’ll not let another cowboy ride me,”
The mad bull snorted with glee.
“Nor I,” said the bronking horse,
“No cowpuncher will get the best of me!”

Now things were getting rowdy
The hay began to fly
As the rugged cowboy games began
The crowd let out a cry.

Each succeeding cowboy took a tumble
Landing with a thump
While the clowns danced and circled
To the crowd’s laughter, their cheers and their stomps.

Still, no single cowboy
Led the field away
The judges somber in their scores,
“Would someone win today?”

I stepped forward and waved my broad-rimmed hat
“Sir, do not be dismayed.”
“I and my little pony, sir,
We can make the grade.”

Stretching over his table and down to see
The head judge scoured, and pointed menacingly at me,
“Just what do you think that you can do little one?”
“This is a contest for big, strong crusty men; men the size of trees.”

“We have a fabulous trick, dear sir,
That no one else can do.”
And, “ we’ll gladly demonstrate our trick
For the pleasure of the crowd and you.”

“Go ahead,” the judge replied,
“And entertain us with your skill.”
So I mounted my little pony
To the crowd’s delight and thrill.

We set our course for the center of the corral
Where no one would miss our act,
Or be distracted surely nigh
By the gathering storm against the setting sky.

With anticipation they did surely gasp
While I galloped and roped with my steed
But our finale was what all eyes waited for
As I reined-in Festus’s lead.

Our heads held proudly high
And with a swagger in our step
Me and my little pony, Festus,
We did a great big ‘flip’!

Astonished and baffled
Were all who looked on to see,
Such a trick had never been done
Why, how could this possibly be?

Then came more cheers and laughter
Mixed with applause from the stands in the breeze,
And the judges smiling on the perfect day
With a prize for my Festus, and me.