Dance Partner

Photo credit: jmperformancehorses.webs.com

I’ve rode good horses

          For most all my life

Showing ponies in all-around

          And reiners nation-wide

I’ve showed ‘em near

          And I’ve showed ‘em far

On fine reining horses

          Yeah, I’ve been a star

But as far as good cowhorses

          None can ever compare

To the first cutter I rode

          An ugly old crowbait mare

She was fat, she was old

          Sway-backed and long-haired

Her mane was sparse and patchy

          Her tail didn’t better fair

Liver brown with no markings

          And a surly look in her eye

Like a crabby old widow woman

          Scared me outta my hide

The guy brought her on out

Handed me the reins with a smile

Then said “get on and go lope her

          She ain’t been rode in quite a while

I swung into the saddle

          The stirrups way too short

Then loped her a few circles

          I felt all out-of-sorts

She had the choppiest stride

          Her ears were perpetually pinned

I bounced all over the place

          Too fast for my liking then

  

Couldn’t keep my seat in a stop

          Stirrups throwing my balance off

Wondered what I got myself into

          When in a rollback I was almost lost

Then the guy had me stop

          And turn her towards the cattle

Together we cut out a cow

          Me trying to sit deep in the saddle

“Put your rein hand down on her neck

          And hold on for dear life”

The mare went right to work

          And boy was she a sight!

Every sense in her old body

          Was locked onto that cow

Slinking down fast and low

          Like a tomcat on the prowl

She leapt back and to the side

          In a move of pure athleticism

Stopping that wild cow short

          I took back all my criticism

Always one step ahead of the cow

          She danced a jig back and forth

She sure knew what she was doing

          I just held on for all I was worth

It was over at the lift of my hand

          She stopped and backed away

And I knew for sure by then

          She’d been a champion in her day

I slid down and handed off the reins

          Feeling thrilled but a little bit sad

Because even to this day she was

          The best dance partner I’d ever had

Winter Beauty

Rain. Sleet. Slush. Ice. Snow. Winter storm…

A “wintery mix” as the weather man says,

Trying as always to put a positive spin on the bad news.

The people all moan and complain at the cold,

As if they’ve never before experienced a snowstorm.

By nightfall the precipitation has begun,

The heavy, wet slush accumulating inch by inch.

And the people, they worry, lying cozy in bed,

About how they’re going to travel the next day.

The morning is hazy, still spitting tiny snowflakes.

Cars, covered in the cold and wet mess, burn cold fuel

As their drivers impatiently scrape away at the windows.

And as they drive to work, braking carefully,

Or walk to class, skating across frozen sidewalks,

Their faces are angry, their brows furrowed.

Winter is nothing but an inconvenience in their busy lives.

Lives so busy, they never take the time,

To stop, to look, to really see, to wonder…



Wonder about the world we live in,

The land that breathes life into each of us,

And all of the wonders of God’s great creation.

If they would stop for a moment and look up,

They would see the trees…



Enveloped perfectly in a layer of ice,

Turned to giant crystals that glisten in the sun.

The wind softly tousles the glass-like branches,

Twigs clatter together like miniature wind chimes.

How could such an elaborate beauty form

From the misery of last night’s intimidating storm?

Icicles frozen intricately around each twig, bud, and residual leaf,

Almost as if a skilled, patient hand had formed that masterpiece.



Or maybe that is exactly what happened…

And He has revealed himself to us in the beauty of His creation,

Giving us a reason to smile and be thankful to be alive

Even in the midst of the season’s frigid cold.

The Earth has her seasons, and she must grow and change.

Nature must make its cycle, and all living things must adapt.

Winter is a part of the circle, and though the people may complain,

The Earth needs her moisture, whether it be snow or rain.

Credit for all photos: Helen Lacey



Freedom

Photo credit:   Waltenberry, Inc.

The moment I climb on
I am set free.
The gorgeous sorrel horse beneath me
Sun shining off his sleek coat
Showing off the toned muscles beneath.
The wind blows his long, coarse mane
And it intertwines with my fingers
Holding the worn, leather reins.
When we move, we move not as two separate beings
But as one in spirit.
We lope through the fields on a warm summer day
I feel all the power beneath me.
Our minds are synchronized
Every slight move that I make
He responds.
He understands me
He provides the gateway to my paradise
He sets me free.
My freedom is found on the back of a horse.

Prom Date?

Was cleaning my room and found this poem I'd written in high school, and I thought, "Oh great, a reminder of my cheesy high school drama"... but after I read it I thought the poem itself was pretty good, so I thought I'd post it. Even though I don't remember who half the guys are that I wrote about!

Photo credit:   Helen Lacey

I can't find sleep,

It's way past midnight.

One burning question,

With no answer in sight.

Who should I ask?

Who would want to go?

The day draws nearer,

I wish I would know.

I mustn't give up asking,

Though twice I have tried,

And twice I have failed.

But I have not yet cried.

The ones that I like,

The ones I thought that knew,

Already have dates.
Wish I did too.

All year long,

Waiting for one special night.

But I've still no date?

Won't give up without a fight.

Why can't this be easy?

Finding love is so rough,

So hard, so unfair,

But I have to be tough.

You were the one,

Who was perfect for me.

So much alike and in common,

A wonderful life I could see.

The "cowboy" of my dreams,

But you would not be.

I was sure we'd work,

But you do not agree.

Then there was you.

So practical and smart.

I was attracted to you,

Like a bulls-eye and a dart.

I knew you'd be good to me.

But someone else came along,

And lured you away from me.

Now I sing a sad country love song.

A while ago he liked me,

So now I ask him to be my date.

But he now has a girlfriend,

Once again I am too late.

And you still confuse me.

I've been interested for some time.

And I bet you don't know,

That you're often on my mind.

You've been unlucky in love,

Just like me.

But give it a chance,

See how great we could be?

As a potential boyfriend,

You've got me shaken.

But as for Prom night,

You're already taken.

You're a great guy,

Fun-loving and sincere.

What I wouldn't give,

Just to have you near.

I'd love to have you in the future,

But Prom is right now.

So find a date I must,

And try to move on somehow.

Who would go with me?

Would you, my good friend?

I know we'd have a fun Prom,

From start until the end.

But would you even consider going?

I know you don't dig stuff like that.

Would you have any interest in me?

We're buddies, that's a fact.

You're just like family to me,

A close and trustworthy guy.

Maybe you don't want to think any different of me,

But could you at least try?

Would you go to Prom if asked?

The subject was brought up today.

But you thought of the expense,

Said, "nope," and walked away.

And I'm okay with that,

I know you're just my friend.

And I like it that way,

I will not pretend.

But now I'm left again,

With no one to turn to.

Everyone's trying to help me,

But I'm feeling so blue.

They say I should ask you,

That we would be a perfect date.

But I just don't think I like you,

I'm sorry, I have to shut the gate.

They say that I am stubborn,

That I should give him a chance,

But I don't think I can,

He's not my perfect romance.

Is he date or boyfriend material?

I have thought about it before.

Then I realize I can't,

Because I want so much more.

What do I want?

I can visualize my perfect cowboy.

One who would make me happy,

And fill my life with joy.

Someone very good-looking,

Hard-working, caring, and smart.

Who shares my love of horses,

And has a loving heart.

I've time to look for him,

Maybe someday at a show, or even college,

But Prom is coming up fast,

I am haunted by that knowledge.

There's one more possibility,

For a good Prom, I think.

If this doesn't work out,

My morale will really sink.

He graduated last year,

I don't know if he can come.

I will ask him if he can,

Though some may think I'm dumb.

Many didn't like him,

Thought he was stupid and low.

I really don't agree with them,

He's a nice guy, I think it so.

Can he come home for Prom?

Would he even go with me?

I need to find out soon,

But I'll just have to wait and see.

Show Pen

Photo credit:   Waltenberry, Inc.

 

I’ve shown everywhere

Under the sun

Now Oklahoma City

This is the big one

National Reining Horse Association

Futurity horse show

Through the Gateway of Champions

Here we go

Calming my nerves

Now as I enter

Ready and confident

We walk to the center

Collect up and lope

Taking my time

Three circles, fast and slow

Then stop on a dime

Four spins to the left

Lope off the other way

Two fast, one slow

Stop in the middle and stay

Four spins to the right

Lope around toward the gate

Change leads twice

Complete a figure eight

Come ‘round the end

Straighten up, run him down

Run faster, say “whoa”

He melts into the ground

I let him stand up

Then roll him right back

Lope down ‘round the end

Pitch him some slack

Run hard and say “whoa”

He slides a mile

Wait a split second

Roll back with a smile

‘Round the end again

Just one more

Stop hard and back up

Hear the crowd roar

I turn and walk out

Smile, give him a pat

They announce my score:

It’s my best one yet

Trail Ride

Photo credit:   Helen Lacey

Sick of the world

I drive to the farm

Pull on my boots

And head to the barn

Grab a halter

And walk out to the gate

Where my good horse

Patiently waits

Throw on my saddle

Cinch it up tight

Ride out of the barn

Into the woods, out of sight

Surrounded by nature

I began to unwind

A big sigh of relief

Left my cares and worries behind

Riding down the trail

Over logs, under trees

The smell of grass growing

Afloat on the breeze

The world is sad

Bitter, and course

But today nothing matters

Except me and my horse

 

Playing in the Creek

Photo credit:   Helen Lacey

I remember when I was little

Though it went by too quick

Some of my favorite adventures

Were down playing in the creek

My sister and I were explorers

We heard nature’s call

We’d walk along the creek

Searching for mini-waterfalls

Sometimes we’d find a frog

Or some rocks growing moss

We were intrigued by water striders

On the surface, skimming across

Our cousins sometimes went with us

Played like survivors, brave and bold

But we never swam in the creek

Because spring-fed water is too cold

The big culvert under the road

Was one of our favorite spots

We’d walk through it, back and forth

And watch the water fall over the rocks

Sometimes Mom would yell at us

Because we came back all wet

But it was usually worth it

Still some of my best memories yet

 

Sunset

Photo credit:   Helen Lacey

I was coming home from school

Same old boring routine,

Had to go start the chores

Just another day it seemed.

I was stressing over homework

And everything else I had to do,

I didn’t want to go outside

Where the cold winter wind blew.

I pulled on my heavy jacket

My coveralls, boots, and gloves,

Walked out the door

And saw a sign from above.

The overcast sky had changed

From dark, sullen blue cover,

To a blaze of yellow, red, and purple

A beautiful discover.

The sun fell below the clouds

Shooting out its splendid rays

Straight up, like a giant cross

And I was amazed.

I just stood there staring

Taking in the wondrous sight,

And my busy day had changed

From woe to delight.

Broken Old Stand

This is one of my favorites that I've written, there's a lot of feelings in this one, though it's just an old broken tree stand. 

Photo credit:   Helen Lacey

We ride by the same place

On every trail ride we lead

And the people always ask

About that old tree

“Why is there a ladder

Against that split tree?

There’s nothing up there

‘Far as we can see”

And they can’t comprehend

Little do they know

All of the stories

That old tree holds

This was the stand

Where I shot my first buck

And for years after

It’s brought me lots of luck

A modest eight-pointer

A big doe down the hill

A smaller one next year

And another buck still

It was also the stand

Where my mom sat one year

Five shotgun shells later

She claimed her trophy deer

But the tree has grown old

And one stormy day

Split it in half

And the stand fell away

And my heart grew sad

Because in all of our land

There was no better spot

Than that broken old stand

The Hunt

Photo credit:   http://www.twinlakeswildliferanch.com

Early morning,

   before sun is up

Throw on layers,

   get in truck.

Drive out to field,

    put it in park

Walk down to my stand,

    while it’s still dark.

Climb up the ladder,

   get settled in

Gun loaded, safety on,

   let the day begin.

Listening intently,

   looking around,

Taking in the music,

   all of nature’s sounds.

Squirrel snaps a twig,
   with a deafening CRACK
I watch him a while,
   and then I look back.

 

Scan the woods for movement,

   amidst the sea of brown

Then I see the whitetail,

   my heart starts to pound.

Calming my nerves,

   I grab for my call

Put it to my mouth,

   One grunt, that’s all.

He stops, and I watch,

   I hope and I pray

He turns and starts off,

   he's coming my way.

I aim, squeeze the trigger,

   smell the smoke from my gun

He leaps, I’ve hit him,

   he takes off at a run.

He doesn’t go far,

   he falls and lays still.

I sit back and sigh,

   enveloped in the thrill.