When I am an old Horsewoman I shall wear turquoise and diamonds, and a straw hat that doesn't suit me. I shall spend my social security on white wine and carrots, And sit in the alleyway of my barn, And listen to my horses breathe. I will sneak out in the middle of a summer night, And ride the old bay gelding, Across the moonstruck meadow, If my old bones will allow. And when people come to call I will smile and nod, As I walk past the gardens to the barn, And show instead The flowers growing inside stalls fresh-lined with straw. I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel. And I will be an embarrassment to all, Who will not yet have found the peace in being free to have a horse as a best friend. A friend who waits at midnight hour With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes. For the kind of woman I will be.... When I am old. got this from a friend.... ~Jude~

OK...back to the cowboy stuff... :-) 'Neath the Shade Tree The fences have all been mended and the cows have all been fed. The horses are in the corral now as the sun starts its change to red. ...and I am hot and tired...and the sweat seeps through my shirt. Let me rest here...'neath the shade tree...for awhile. My eyes are dry and burning as I look out across the bend. The tall grass dances in the pasture to the symphony of the wind. I think about tomorrow...and things I do not know. Let me rest here...'neath the shade tree...for awhile. Each day's a little harder as my body's windin' down. I guess it ain't gonna get much better...'til they lay me in the ground. But, I'm thankful for the days gone by and the ones that lie ahead. Waitin' for each day to end as the sun starts its change to red. I'll ride up on this hilltop and close my eyes and smile...and think... "Lord, let me rest here...'neath the shade tree...for awhile. R. Atkinson aka texaslawman

Through the years, I've written various types of poetry...and it ain't always "cowboy poetry". Thought I'd throw this one out there..... I hear her voice on the telephone and my soul is put at ease. That soft, sweet drawl beckons me home among the tall pine trees. She takes me back to summer days and thoughts of love's embrace As the waters sing sweet lullabies and the winds caress my face. With each word I drink her in like heaven's finest wine And long to feel her soft, warm skin and turn the hands of time. To feel, to love, to laugh again...to remember long ago Then be reborn by her sweet voice...'tis all I want to know. R. Atkinson aka texaslawman

something I came across.. kinda cute.. 33 Truths about Horses 1. People who don’t take care of their own horses will be the first ones to tell you how to care for yours. 2. You should never buy a cheap girth! 3. A handsome horse who’s badly behaved will become a lot less attractive in about 15 min. 4. People who think they have nothing more to learn about riding, hit the ground the hardest. 5. Children and ponies are natural allies and often have identical dispositions. 6. The richest horse people often look the poorest. 7. The closeness of a horse is one of the sweetest smells in the world. 8. A solitary ride through the bush is more beneficial then six months with the best psychiatrist. 9. The worse a person rides the more likely they are going to blame it on the horse. 10. The best thing about going to the barn first thing in the morning is that horses don’t care how you look. 11. If a dealer insists a horse is worth twice what he’s asking he’s usually worth half that much. 12. The best way to appreciate how another person rides is to get on their horse. 13. I can recognize another horse person no matter what town, city, state, county or country I visit. 14. You can never have too many hoof picks. 15. It is not wise to argue with something that outweighs you by 1,000 pounds 16. I’d rather have a horse with a perfect mind then a perfect head. 18. If you think you have left the water on in the barn you have, if you think you have closed the pasture gate you haven’t. 19. When someone asks you if you like their horse always say yes 20. The happiest people I know own horses, dogs, cats and at least one deranged goat. 21. If you’re looking for the perfect horse you will never own one. (VERY TRUE!) 22. Owning a horse can either make a marriage or break it. 23. I’d rather lose my Chap Stick than my curb chain. 24. You shouldn’t talk about your first place ribbon to someone that came second. 25. If someone says that horse has a little buck, it has a BIG buck. 26. If we need rain, schedule a show. 27. I’ve never warmed up to someone that didn’t want to walk down to the stables. 28. A clean stable and a sparkling horse are among life’s great pleasures. 29 Even given away horses can be too expensive. Especially give away horses. 30. No matter how badly behaved you are, your horse always gives you a second chance. 31. A more expensive horse doesn’t make a better one. 32. I can’t stand to have an empty stable. 33. Losing a horse can break your heart, but it will have been worth it

OMG, I just spent the last hour reading all of these touching poems. I love them. Some of them really hit home. Here's an old cowboy quote I came across: There are two things I like best in this world... Horses and Pretty Women. And when I die, I want to come back as a ladies' riding saddle, So that I can lie between the two things I like best, Horses and Pretty Women. Author: A Cowboy

Wrote this one myself: BEST DOG Skaddy-the red heeler The best dog I ever had A momma dog...she lived long A good life and left me sad For today I buried The best dog I ever had Then came Rosie the Rose dog Stubborn and proud late to mature But faithful for sure My beloved companion until that day Bob the mule kicked her away And today I buried The best dog I ever had Bocephus the castoff Where he came from I'm still not sure But into my heart he surely snuck Never left me or strayed By my side always stuck And I watch him grow older And start to stiffen up Perhaps to early to start feeling sad Cuz I'm tired of buryin' The best dog I ever had...

I was sitting on the fence one day watching my horse sunning himself in the field, and as I sat there I wrote this poem. Meadow Dreams In the meadow lush and green Whispering winds speak in his dream Visions of a time long past Tell tell of freedom centuries last Of open land where all could roam And share the bounty each called home Where Buffalo, Bear, and Beaver abound Moved we freely upon the ground Before the fence all built by hand No barriers were raised above the land Life lived in harmony with natures code Before the rail, before the road Awakened by a pesky fly The sun still high in the sky He shakes and lowers his strong arched neck And ponders how long he slept Jimmie Michael Anderson

Here's somethin' a little different from what I usually post.... Once Upon a Dance Once upon a dance, I held such beauty in my arms. And as we turned around the floor, I was captured by her charms. Her big brown eyes, her silky skin and a smile so soft and wide Made me feel alive, again and kept me warm inside. And as we danced, I came to see there's so much more to know than what is on the outside, but deep inside her soul. As I left the dance that night, my thoughts began to stream. Was she really real at all or was she just a dream? Now, I am no one's fool, you see, and know that there's no chance. But, I will never forget her beauty... Once upon a dance. R. Atkinson aka texaslawman

Cowboys with Crooked Halos They like to dance a jig or two when Saturday night rolls ‘round... and they might have a nip behind the barn when they come home from town. On Sundays they might have to feed or gather up the herd. They're just cowboys with crooked halos, Lord, but they never forget your word. Why, cowboys will spend their last dimes to help a friend in need and always wear broad smiles for children... yes, they're a special breed. They're honest and they're faithful, Lord, with a heart for Your great outdoors. They live their lives underneath the stars...they don't ask for nothin' more. So, remember when You see them smoke or take a drank or two... They're just cowboys with crooked halos, Lord, but they still belong to you. R. Atkinson "The Texas Lawman"

"God made the cat in order that man might have the pleasure of caressing the lion." (Fernand Mery) "and He made the dog so we would always have a friend; but, He made the horse that we might touch heaven here on earth!" (me) so...........find a moment, in the middle of your busy wrapping the week up, and pay attention to your heaven here on earth. you never know what the next moment brings.