The Friendly Cowboy

Although this photograph was at the center of the learning, it is the poems that demonstrate the students' personal understandings of the feelings, emotions and stories of Cowboy Culture.

by Cody & Jeff - grade 6 students

There was an old cowboy riding the range
Spring roundup, searching for strays
His horse, best friend, searching through trees
Five lone strays near the stream.

Tired and lonely the cowboy sets up camp.
Heating beans, coffee in the kettle
Snap of a branch, horse’s whinny
A sixth stray joins the group.

Morning arrives only too quickly
Driving cattle back to main camp
Talking to cattle so they don’t scare
First one back to main camp.

Other tired cowboys start to arrive
Loading corrals with cattle
Restless cattle grouped and branded
Hard day is done, time to rest!

by Morris Erickson

Fall winds tumble leaves across the ground
While snowflakes dance through the air on their way down
Leafless trees seem to shiver while whispering a lonely sound
And here is where a range rider's peace of mind is found.

Elk grazing on a hillside raise their heads to watch me riding by
Then my ponies ears go forward when I hear a lonely coyotes cry
And high above the hilltops, there is an eagle circling in the sky
I find peace and freedom here, and some wonder why.....