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.

A Perfect Swing

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

I love the sound

Of a perfect swing

Driver hitting the ball

And tee with a TING

Practice swing

Line up with ball

Take a deep breath

Give it my all

Start my backswing

Arms raise up and twist

Hit top of the pendulum

Let flex my wrists

Now swinging forward

Bringing club down

Straightening arms

Not making a sound

Ball on the grass

Connects with club face

I swing on through

Keeping my pace

Complete the pendulum

Body twists, eyes keen

Watching my sailing ball

Land right on the green