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Rodeo Clown
This poem comes from Autumn Leaves:
He ran a gnarled hand
Through silver-streaked hair.
Arthritis caused pain,
Anguish and despair.
This year, he’d quietly
Turned age sixty-two.
His days as a clown
Were long since through.
Memories flooded back,
Playing tag with his mind,
Back through the years
To a much younger time.
Back then, he was the best…
The most agile around.
Someone better with bulls
Just couldn’t be found.
Rubbing his neck idly,
He gave a soft sigh.
Back then, he could rodeo,
Drink and tell lies.
He could jump over a bull’s rump,
Stop him dead in his tracks,
Then turn him aside
With a quick-handed whack.
He’d sure made it look easy.
There was never a school
To teach rodeo clowns
How to handle mean bulls.
Many a hard-riding cowboy
Was thrown high to fall flat.
They owed their health to the clown,
Plus a tip of the hat.
Many of those cowboys,
Rising up from the ground,
Will ride once again,
All thanks to the clown.
He makes it look so easy
While with danger he’ll flirt,
Keeping bull riders
From both injury and hurt.
The next time the rodeo
Comes into your town,
Watch over the action
Of the rodeo clown.
Maybe you’ll see
Another one there,
Running a pain-filled hand
Through his silvery hair.
There’s a twinkle in his eye —
His interest honed keen.
He’s watching the clowns
And the bull riding scene.
He’ll be wearing
An invisible crown
Because once he was king
Of the rodeo clowns.
THE COWBOY’S LAMENT
This comes comes from Autumn Leaves:
His horse had a back like a cast iron grate,
along with a slew-footed, bone-jarring gait.
This greatly agitated the beans he had ate.
As he continued passing gas,
He knew he had to act fast
Before Mother Nature held sway.
Just up ahead was a cluster of trees
Where he could dismount and bend at the knees,
Letting Ole Mother Nature have her way.
Quickly leaping to the ground,
He glanced all around
And dropped his overalls down over his toes.
With instant, easing relief,
Which put an end to his grief,
Slim shouted, “Thar she blows!”
While shouting, he waved his arm,
Causing his horse to alarm.
It took off with a jack rabbit start.
With a stricken look of aghast
At his horse leaving fast,
All he could do was pass gas.
Now early this morning,
He’d left just at dawning
To begin this catastrophic caper.
Slim was overwrought
With a sickening thought…
He had forgotten to bring along paper!
Grabbing a handful of grass,
He made a quick pass
And began to pull his overalls up.
His pants got caught on his spurs,
And he started to fall,
Sprawled out like a three-legged pup.
Slim had been put to the test.
As the sun sunk in the West,
He turned his horse out to pasture to rest.
“Cookie,” said Slim with a wink,
“These troublesome events have a link
Which caused me to ponder and think.”
Slim hooked his thumbs in his overall jeans,
Grinned at the cook with a mischievous look,
And said, “I want to compliment you on your wonderful beans!”
Praise Him
This poem comes from Autumn Leaves:
When your heart troubles you, remember.
When you feel sad or lonely, remember.
When you need a true friend, remember.
When you are very heavy laden, remember.
Remember who came to give you rest.
Remember who gives you life forever.
Remember who died upon the cross for you.
Remember who shed His blood for our sins.
When you need direction and guidance, ask.
When you need help and healing, ask.
When you feel lost and need repentance, ask.
When you are faced with any problem, ask.
Ask and the way will be made straight.
Ask and the door will be opened.
Ask and it will be given willingly.
Ask and life will be given abundantly.
For the daily sunlight you walk in, praise Him.
For the food which nourishes your strength, praise Him.
For the sleep which renews you each morning, praise Him.
Praise Him in all things for thrice Holy is His Name.
Praise Him for He alone is found worthy.
Praise Him for He is exalted in Heaven and Earth.
Praise Him for all Honor and Glory as His forever and ever.
Amen
Bethlehem
This poem comes from Autumn Leaves:
Oh, so still is the night,
Peaceful, yet hushed in quiet,
And bathed in a single star’s light,
Oh, Bethlehem!
Time gives a greater Light birth
That will shine throughout the Earth,
Though hosting this event — not by whim,
Remembered forever, Bethlehem!
Time does not stand still for man,
Endless hourglass measures sand,
Remembering again David’s stem,
Born in you, Bethlehem.
Many years ago and far away,
We still celebrate that day,
A Light that darkness cannot dim…
A Savior born in you, Oh, Bethlehem.
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