Showing posts with label ranching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ranching. Show all posts

Friday, July 2, 2021

Unpredictable

 

Unpredictable

Summer on the high plains
is as unpredictable as a politician
in the morning starting out as friends
by evening cursing like sailors at each other on Twitter

The rain of yesterday hammered in fury
a gully washer with intermittent pea size hail
like a cowboy without a spittoon
spitting away with that cheek bulge of chew

It did clear the air between those politicians though
like one of those infomercial things
wondering if the warranty is good
because of how the parts don't quite fit

Meanwhile, back at the ranch the wind is stout today
out of the southeast with a sticky bite like hard cider
that's never good, its an open invitation for another storm
fermenting this afternoon like the head on good amber ale

Less than a month ago on a Sunday in June
with malice the sky opened
raining golf balls like lead grapeshot
shredding the siding like harsh words on a tender heart

The insurance check came two days ago with
the unwanted strings attached to it
the lender like that unwanted investor
gets their say in how we repair our own home

So, in this sticky air I'll check the irrigation early
to see if any of the syphon tubes have plugged up
irrigating is a symbiotic rhythm of having horses
so when the cold winds and bitter chills come they stay plump

Maybe I'll find another red-tailed hawk feather
those small things that catch my eye
I carry it as a trophy as I walk through the fields
letting my thoughts fly around in dizzying circles


Poem 21-183y
263 Words
#highplainspoet
Just a summer day in July and practicing using metaphors. © 5 minutes ago, Brian    misc • life • rambling • ranching   


Saturday, March 7, 2020

Traffic Jam

Traffic Jam

Herd of black angus
two hundred plus
pressed to clear a path
so we can move down the pavement

Begrudginly they yield
pressed on by
horseback cowgirls and cowboys
a family and neighbor affair

Working with the riders
black and white border collies
clearing a lane
leaping to and frow
nipping at hooves
of lollygagging cows

A wonderful Wyoming traffic jam

Poem 20-067z
Encountered a Wyoming traffic jam this week while at work.
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, ranching, cattle, cowboy, cowgirl, border_collie, peace, symbiotic

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Cinched


Cinched

Somethings are forgotten
that shouldn't be
ignorance is a stern instructor
sometimes it means a face plant

How to cinch a saddle
lesson that must be learned
applies to many things
resistance puffs up

Think things are tight
when boot reaches for stirrup
saddle slips under foot
horse spooks

Wonder how ended up on the ground
wind knocked out of ya
dust self off and discover
what thought was tight is really loose

Poem 20-029Z
#highplainspoet
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife
Ranching, life_lesson, saddle, cinch

Friday, September 7, 2018

In Summer When

In Summer When


Contrail follows
pickup's path
Dust coats
sticky skin

Becomes mud
rub brow
Paints earthiness
upon tanned flesh

Marks of earth
furrows cut deep
Upon terrain of face
he marks the earth

18-229y

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Nebraska Beauty

Nebraska Beauty 17-177B

Reminded why country life is so rewarding
summer evening upon the tractor sit
going round the field picking up bales of hay
cool wind embraces me as storms roll around


Night has fallen as finish the load
lightening cuts the sky to the North and South
crawling up the field exposed with no cab
hum of bale wagon as moves hay tray to tray


Peacefulness floods heart as grounded
reality of connection to soil
moments alone in God's creation
beauty all around if open my eyes

Friday, July 22, 2016

Ode to the Rancher

      Ode to the Rancher

Summer sun beats,
Baking skin in heat,
Whisking moisture away,
Rough and calloused,
Cracked curious patterns,
In the ground and on the skin,
Darkened pigments,
Weathered and dry,
Coated in dirt and dust,
Grease and grime stain,
Not cubicle contained,
Free to roam,
Chores to do,
Equipment to maintain,
Irrigation to set,
Fence to mend,
Animals to tend.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.