STUART HOOKER
About Stuart Hooker

 Recognized as one of

for his poem, "Ever Seen a Cowboy"

 

 

Ever Seen a Cowboy

 Have you ever seen a cowboy on a windswept ridge alone,

Starin' across the country like he's chiseled there in stone,

His horse standin' beside him, ears up, he's lookin' too,

And way off, in the distance, are the mountains, far and blue;

 

Have you ever wrangled horses in the dim pre-light of dawn,

Smelled woodsmoke from the cabin where there's hot, black coffee on,

Have you climbed into the saddle with your fingers stiff and cold,

Then felt your sorrel hump up, so you took a real good hold;

 

Have you ever roped a "big 'un" when no one knew where you were at,

Then had to go back lookin' for your "stompled" trompled hat,

Have you ever heard the wisdom in an old hands' tales,

Then had to run from a mad old cow, when that wisdom fails;

 

Have you ever wished for a faster horse, or at least, a slower steer,

Have you looked back up the trail and wondered, "Can I get outta here,"

Have you ever seen a bad old cow guard her sickly calf,

Or watched a youngster smile 'cause he made an old hand laugh;

 

Have you ever seen a cowgirl when she brought a wild one in,

Or heard her Daddy proudly say, "She did it, again,"

Have you ever seen a dust cloud boil behind a herd of steers,

Or seen a rancher smile at the first "good" rain in years;

 

Have you ever stood in a dry corral with so many calves to brand,

That you couldn't see how you'd get it done, then a kid makes a hand,

Have you ever tracked a wild cow wonderin' who's gonna find who first,

Or drank from a murky dirt tank 'cause you had to quench your thirst;

 

Have you ridden back to cow camp after you turned the cattle out,

Knowin' you've done a good job, that's what cowboyin's about,

Have you sat outside the bunkhouse after all the chores were done,

Thinkin' the roan did good today, watchin' the settin' sun;

 

Have you ever seen a cowboy on a windswept ridge alone,

Starin' across the country like he's chiseled there in stone,

If so, well, we've been blessed, my friend, to know the cowboy ways,

I've seen that cowboy, on that ridge, I've helped him gather strays. 

© 2007, Stuart Hooker
This poem may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission.

 

Stuart told us: My grandfather, Joe Hooker, and my brother, David Hooker, were my inspiration for this poem. Their dedication and hard work at raising cattle have always amazed me. I can still see my grandfather on a ridge looking for cattle during a gather. My brother has followed suit and can still be seen out in the pasture working cattle.

 

All My Cowboys Were Girls

I didn't think about it, when we saddled up that day,
Tammy rode her palomino, I picked out my bay,
Sandra caught her dun, Holly got the roan whose mane has curls,
I never thought about it, but all my cowboys were girls;

We piled into the four-door, the trailer was loaded down,
We stopped to get some diesel, as we drove through town,
The only station open was that rundown place of Earls,'
It still hadn't hit me, that all my cowboys were girls;

By noon we had 'em gathered, then took a break for lunch,
We's laughin' and relaxin,' that was sure a topnotch bunch,
After brandin,' headed home, listenin' to a song of Merles,'
Holly laughed and said, "Grandpa, all your cowboys, are girls;"

It shocked me when I heard it, then I laughed out loud,
The way they worked them cattle would make my grandpa proud,
I had to quote a great cowgirl as we cleared a cattleguard,
"To cowboy up isn't bad, but to cowgirl up, that's hard;"

I've rode with lots of cowboys, lots of cowgirls, too,
It's never about gender when there's work to do,
I've learned a bit of wisdom, through life I've heard some pearls,
Don't judge someone 'til you've rode their trail, some of the best cowboys, are girls

© 2007, Stuart Hooker
This poem may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission.

 

Stuart told us, "Working with my daughters, Tammy and Sandra, and granddaughter, Holly, is always a joy. One of the best cowhands I know, besides my brother David, is his wife, Paula. She really understands cattle, horses, and any other 'critter' you can think of. My niece, Belinda, is good help too. She can help get a pretty big animal down, and hold its head down while I tie it. There are many women, and girls, around here who can hold their own when it comes to working cattle, or any other ranch work. I see more and more women working on, and running ranches. It's a great time to be a cowboy, or a cowgirl!"

 

 About Sutart Hooker:

I was raised on our family ranch near Gila, New Mexico. I was born in Silver City, New Mexico. I learned to work cattle at a young age and still enjoy helping family that are raising cattle. I've worked at many jobs, mining, deputy sheriff, truck driving, and construction, but I like ranching and farming over everything I've done. Writing is my relaxation. My daughters, Tammy and Sandra, and my grandchildren bring light to my world. I am truly blessed.
 

 

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