2003

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Each year during April, National Poetry Month, we celebrate Cowboy Poetry Week.  During that week we highlight our Favorite Cowboy and Western Poems Project, where we invite your comments on your favorite poem.   In April 2003, Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) and four other sponsors introduced a resolution recognizing our National Cowboy Week celebration.  Read more here on page 1. Also on page 1 you'll find more information about our Favorite Cowboy and Western Poems Project; some words about Cowboy Poetry; selected references for reading and listening; a link to our Events calendar, which lists many gatherings where you can enjoy Cowboy Poetry in its traditional oral form; and some additional links.  This page includes a poem (below) written in honor of Cowboy Poetry Week.  We welcome submissions within our regular guidelines. The painting for Cowboy Poetry Week 2003 was "Best Laid Plans," by notable Western artist Bill Anton.

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Below:

Poetry Inspired by Cowboy Poetry Week

 

Hal Swift
Cowboy Poetry Week

 

On page 1 you'll find more information about our Favorite Cowboy and Western Poems Project; some words about Cowboy Poetry; selected references for reading and listening; a link to our Events calendar, which lists many gatherings where you can enjoy Cowboy Poetry in its traditional oral form; and some additional links. 

 

Cowboy Poetry Week

Conrad Burns, from the state of Montana
is an all-around big success.
A U.S. Marine, and an auctioneer,
and a cattleman, too, no less.

He rides with some of the finest ol' boys
that ever climbed up on a horse.
I'm talkin' about some really big guns,
and that's the Burns Bunch, of course.

Montana Max Baucus is Burns's neighbor.
Harry Reid of Nevada's one, too.
Kansas Sam Brownback, is one of the boys,
and Orrin Hatch, of Utah, it's true.

All of these fellas care about the West
and have found a way to show it.
They suggested a plan to help pay honor
to the nation's Cowboy Poet.

They made Cowboy Poetry Week in the Senate,
and it was a job well done.
The fourth week of April, Two-Thousand-and-Three
was chose for the very first one.

On behalf of all of us women and men,
from ever one of our nation's parts,
we thank Conrad Burns, who started it all,
from the bottom of our Cowboy Hearts.

© 2003, Hal Swift
This poem may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission.

Read more of Hal Swift's poetry here.

 

 

 

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