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Cowboy Poems
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Former radio personality Les McDowell has written a volume of cowboy poetry called "Tales from the Trail."
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Published: September 25, 2009
BLACK AND WHITE
Saturday mornings as a kid you'd find me in front of the old RCA. There were white hats on white horses with silver saddles to save the day.
It was Roy and Gene who taught me to keep my room and my living clean. I guess you could say they taught me how to be a better human being.
Hop-along on Topper his snow white steed taught me my word was my bond. They taught me there's good in everyone, the bad you have to look beyond.
Then my dreams were of pure white horses with flying manes and silver studded gear. Posters of my Cowboy heroes kept away my nightmares and my fears.
There were beautiful western skies, tumble weeds and cactus in every scene. Today I can still see them running across that silver screen.
Now my cowboy heroes have taken one last rear and disappeared from sight. Times have changed but nowadays it seems nothing is black and white.
- Les McDowell
DAD'S HATS
I got a package of dad's old hats today.
Send to me by a sister, it sure made my day.
A sweat-stained Stetson he dearly loved
He said it always fit him like a glove.
I could see him honest eyes peerin' from under its brim.
Hands clutching it with head bowed when talkin' to Him.
He'd slide it back whenever he laughed.
Rest it on his knee whenever he sat.
He'd pull it down whenever he whittled.
Used it as a broom whenever he chiseled.
Swatted flies on summer days.
Would swat my butt whenever he ran out of words to say.
Dad came back to life when I opened that box of hats.
I rested it on my knee and with dad I had a long chat.
- Les McDowell
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