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FRED
ENGEL
WITH A COWBOY POINT OF VIEW
THE
UNDISPUTED SYMBOL OF THE AMERICAN WEST
Some
folks refer to the cowboy as part of a dyin’ breed
Because they think he no longer fills a useful need.
But you and I, I know, are smarter than that
Because we know what’s goin’ on between those boots
and that ol’ hat.
Now, there are some, I will admit, that we wouldn’t call
the real McCoy.
But, they do help keep the spirit alive, that of the real cowboy.
And, it’s that spirit that keeps the cowboy from becomin’
a dyin’ breed.
And, it’s that spirit that gives the cowboy his code and
his creed.
And, no doubt about it, he is the undisputed symbol of the American
West.
And there’s plenty of good reason why he’s sorted
out from all the rest.
He’s been a dream that many of us have had.
He’s been our hero, our friend, and to some of us he’s
been our dad.
From dime novels to Hollywood’s silver screen,
He’s become as well known and popular as good ol’
apple pie and ice cream.
He’s got his own brand of logic and his own point of view,
And generally he’ll look you right in the eye when he talks
to you.
Sometimes he’ll speak up when he shouldn’t.
Sometimes he’ll just keep his mouth shut tight.
Sometimes he’ll walk away from things
While other times he’ll stick around just so he can fight.
And, unlike the pessimist who’ll tell you the glass is half
empty
Or the optimist who’ll tell you it’s half full,
The cowboy will tell you that it’s just twice as big as
what you need!
And friends, that’s no bull.
Now agree or not, it’s up to you.
But that’s how I see it, from a cowboy’s point of
view!
FRED
ENGEL “The Undisputed Symbol of the American West”
copyright 2004
WHY
COWBOY POETRY?
Well,
cowboy poetry has been around
For a heck of a long time.
It’s just common ordinary bunkhouse talk,
Stories that cowboys have put to rhyme.
Oh, it sort o’ got lost in the shuffle
Back there for awhile.
But, since the gatherings, like the ones started in Elko,
It’s become what some call a new popular style.
New? Not at all. Popular? Yes.
And style? Well, you bet.
But, how is it that cowboy poetry
Has become all of this?
I mean, no one’s ever heard of plumber poetry.
Or about carpenters who recite in verse.
And, there’s no such thing as lawyer poetry.
Thank God, what could be worse?
Now teachers, doctors, and merchants,
Sure, they’re all a talented bunch.
And, then there’s those folks who report the news to us
at noon
When we’re all eatin’ lunch.
There’s folks who work with computers
Punchin’ buttons instead of cows ‘til their heart’s
content.
And then there’s the professional weather guessers,
Also known as meteorologists who are always pitchin’ in
their two cents.
But, it’s the cowboy, the cowpoke,
The vaquero, the old buckaroo
Who tells us about the ride down life’s trail,
Musing from the down to earth point of view.
Because along with his rough and tumble life style
And his ways of the old west,
Well, there’s just a certain degree of romance
That sorts him out from all the rest!
FRED
ENGEL “Why Cowboy Poetry?” copyright
1998-2004
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