A COWBOY'S NIGHT

Twenty hot, dry, dusty days,
Into the cattle drive, thus far, 
Another ten or so to go, 
More lonely nights beneath the stars.

The sun, fiery hot most days, 
The men ride from dawn 'til dusk, 
Their tired horses hot and sweaty, 
Must be cooled down at night and brushed.

Then strong coffee on an open flame, 
In an aging, blackened pot, 
Fresh meat broiled on a spit, 
And eaten sizzling hot.

Small talk between the men, 
Jokes told, some thigh-slappers,, 
Few men quiet, lost in thought, 
Others, loud male laughter.

Then bedrolls down upon the ground, 
Hard saddles for their heads, 
Each man's frame then stretched out full, 
The stars, God's ceiling overhead.

From somewhere in the dark, 
Come captivating sounds, 
Haunting tunes and melodies, 
Good, old familiar songs.

All ears alert and listening, 
As a harmonica softly plays, 
"I once was lost, but now I'm found, 
And by God's grace, I have been saved."

"Rock of Ages - Hallelujah, 
Just a closer walk with Thee, 
We will gather at the river, 
And He walks and talks with me."

One hymn melts into another, 
No beginnings and no ends, 
Strong men praying in the dark, 
A few overheard amens.

Those songs, learned as children, 
Though all men now are grown, 
But for the moment, all are boys, 
Transported back, in time, to home.

They scan the canopy of stars, 
Which to cowboys represent, 
Dear ones still at home,
Or loved ones, heaven sent.

On the range, the stars shine brighter,
And they're closer down to earth, 
All cowboys know that this is true,
And they've known this, too, since birth.

The harmonica's plaintive tones,
Continue on into the night, 
One by one, the men drift off to sleep,
God's in His heaven, and all's all right.

Virginia (Ginny) Ellis
 

My Heartfelt Thanks to Ginny!

See her beautiful site and 
Read more of her wonderful poetry here:

Ginny's World of Poetry
 

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