LAVERN "STRAW" BERRY
Cordell, Oklahoma
About Lavern "Straw" Berry
Cowboying With Jace
I've rode the mountain ranges, drug wild cattle from the brush.
Tore through mesquite and prickly pear, dodgin' rocks and limbs and such.
I rodeoed for several years, though I didn't usually place,
But the best cowboyin' I ever done, was yesterday, with Jace.
I started colts for lots of folks, rode some rough strings to a standstill.
Wore a hole plumb through a saddle, chasin' cows through these old red hills.
I worked in desert sun so hot you'd swear your eyes were burnt.
Worked for lots of outfits big and small, some was named and some that weren't.
And I've branded, doctored, dehorned, till I was plumb blue in the face.
But the best cowboyin' I ever done, was yesterday, with Jace.
With Jace I rode the mountain's crest, where just real cowboys go.
We camped in verdant valleys green, rolled our bedrolls in the snow.
We heated a cinch ring in a greasewood fire, to brand some maverick stray.
Then we necked him to a blackjack tree, we'll lead him out someday.
We breathed the same air Goodnight did, saw huge herds of buffalo,
Pointed some longhorns up the old Western Trail, talked of things just real cowboys know.
We tried to catch and rope the sun, but we finally lost the chase.
And the best cowboyin' I ever done, was yesterday, with Jace.
Jace said it made him feel so tall, being horseback where he sat.
I said the best view in the world is looking out beneath your hat.
Then we turned around and headed in, using landmarks for a map.
Wound up at Nanny's for cookies and milk, then Jace laid down and took his nap.
You see, my rootin', tootin' puncher pard, so daring, brave, and bold,
Is really the son of my son Jay, and he's only four years old.
And we crossed deserts, streams, and badlands, and forded icy streams,
On an 80 acre red shale farm, the rest was in our dreams.
And the fiery charger Jacer rides, is really my old gelding Joey.
And he never was a flashy horse, more dependable than showy.
And when Jace rides, I walk by his side, leading Joey by the halter.
Making sure that I could catch him, if Joey stumbles, spooks or falters.
And all the daring deeds we done, was in about two hours space.
We rode from Canada to Mexico, and never left the place.
And the best paycheck I ever drawed, was the grin on that boy's face.
I wouldn't trade a million dollars, for my cowboyin' with Jace.
And Jace thinks I'm the best cowhand, that ever twirled the twine.
He wants to grow up just like me, and that suits me just fine.
But he hangs on every word I say, you can see it in his face.
It's a big responsibility, out cowboyin' with Jace.
A grandpa has so little time, and what he has is gone so soon.
I need to use that time right now, while he thinks I hung the moon.
So I pray that I can teach him things he will use in later life.
How to take care of an orphan calf, how to take care of a wife.
How to build a fence, and build a life, and keep both straight and true.
How to train a colt and train up a child, earning trust and respect, too.
How to shake out a loop and shake a man's hand,
How to give your word and keep it.
And how whatever crop of seeds you sow,
Someday you're gonna reap it.
Always tip your hat to ladies, look menfolk in the eye.
Be gentle to your horses, and don't make your mama cry.
There ain't no better feelin' than a conscience that's clear, and the warm sun on your face.
I'm tryin' to teach him all these things, while I'm cowboyin' with Jace.
Lord help me be the kind of man, that Jace thinks me to be.
Don't never let me let him down, cause he's lookin' up to me.
Help me to teach him what I should, I'll need Your wisdom and Your grace.
Cause the biggest job You've given me, is cowboyin' with Jace.
© 2007, Lavern "Straw" Berry
This poem may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission.
"Cowboying With Jace" is a poem Straw wrote for his real-life grandson Jace, after Jace had an accident on one of Straw's horses and broke his arm.
About Lavern "Straw" Berry:
"Straw" Berry lives in Cordell, Oklahoma in the west-central part of the state. He grew up on a ranch raising sheep and cattle (and believe it or not, turkeys), and was part of the third generation of Berry's to work on the ranch. He and his father work a small cow/calf and wheat operation in Washita County, Oklahoma, and he starts a few colts.
He has been doing cowboy poetry since about 2000, and has been an invited performer at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and the Cowboy Symposium in Lubbock, Texas.
He has a CD of original poetry called Red Hill Reflections (available from the Western Folklife Center gift shop).
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