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Welcome to Cow
Country ! ! !
Always
appreciate drop in company. Please mosey thru & enjoy your stay.
Cowboy
poetry has been around forever in the telling of stories, be they true, exaggerated
or an out and out lie. It has provided many hours of western
entertainment around camp fires; or today may be found anywhere from backwoods
gatherings, to nursing homes, to concert halls, letting the
'young and old' know the roots of their heritage.
Talking
to other poets, if you can call us that, we agree that most of our inspiration
comes in the middle of the night and if you don't get up and write it down it is
gone by morning.
| Introduction |
'Gramper' the story teller.
Trapping along with his cattle
provided a living for his
family of 9. "Gramper"
Leighton Trotter rode with his father Lee trailing their cattle from the Sundance,
Wyoming area to Trotters, North Dakota when he was seven. Trotters Post
Office and store originated in their home in West Central North Dakota where they
established their ranch, raised cattle and were its first owner
operator. Trotter Post Office was in operation from March 1904
until March 1995. My best
memories of "Gramper" were his stories, helping him put French
red on new gun stocks he had built, and going with him to feed cattle before school in the
mornings. We lived across
the river from school so when the ice was too thick to ride through but
wouldn't hold a vehicle or horse at freeze up and thaw, we would
stay with the grand folks. |
| No.
I’m not good at spinin' great big yarns. |
| Though
I had a mentor from where one learns. |
| While
depending on the listeners age. |
| Sometimes
just a bobcat would set the stage. |
| It
was always, all—most, believable. |
| Till
you were hooked and un-retrievable. |
| There
was always something in his trap. |
| He’d
knock it out and tie it in his wrap. |
| "Gramper"
could tell us in vivid color. |
| How
his lion would wake up & squall .. or.. |
| Bite
at him when tied behind the saddle. |
| Horse
buckin', mountain lion, what battle. |
| For
men to characterize their super stars. |
| Just
takes an old worn hat and handlebars. |
| Me???
In a bustled dress or ridin' skirt. |
| Or
little kyd ‘hell bent’ with old tug quirt? |
| Even
my poems range from heaven to hell. |
| Calamity
Jo was I for quite a spell. |
| I’ve
written of wrecks first and second hand. |
| Of
ranchers & riders all worth their sand. |
| Old
Mother Earth in all its true glory. |
| Fear,
sweat, & tears, they all have a story. |
| But
the things that interest me the most. |
|
Are man, beast & child that know well their "Host". |
| Jo
Lee T Riley©2003 |
Cattle
and horses have been my lively hood since I was born and for my parents before me
and their parents. My poems, stories, and photos are mostly based on real people
events or places.
It is true, classic, cowboy memories written in Western Cowboy style that have been lived by me, my family or
friends. I haven't been to many
gatherings yet but hope to do more in the future. More about my eccentric life can be found in the bio.
Included
in this site is a sample of my
poetry, which was
honored by The Clayton Gangs "Poet of the Month" for March 2002 and
December 2002. The only ones I've had time to submit. Have been a finalist with
all the poems submitted to poetry.com also
but they are not a "Cowboy Poetry" site.
There's
a Photo
page of some of the pictures that are in my books of the events, people or places
pertaining to my poems.
Most were taken on ranches in the North Dakota Badlands.
The
second book is just finished. It is Christian Cowboy Poetry. You may order them
and my CD which has poems from both books here.
You can also just email me for an order at jolee@helpnhand.net.
You
can also check out my cards at http://cowcountrypublishing.tripod.com/
Click
links to see my favorite poetry, horse, cattle, music,
health and info sites.
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