Western Tunes
by Karen O’Leary

He began to sing some old cowboy song,
a tradition started by his foreman, Jake.
Riding flank, keeping the cattle bunched up,
the tunes rode along as they moved the herd

to the lower forty for branding calves.
He began to sing some old cowboy song.
as he untangled a calf from a bush.
The cow mooed in harmony, grateful.

Reaching their destination, cook treated
them to fresh venison and baked potatoes.
He began to sing some old cowboy song,
along with others, a harmonica and guitar.

At sunrise, with hot irons, the branding
began with sizzled hides and burnt smells.
Rising above the bellowing calves,
he began to sing some old cowboy song.



 

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