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She is her daddy’s treasure,
Her mama’s pride and joy,
Her gramma’s best friend ever,
And grandpa’s sweet tomboy.
She’s in the thick of horses
Wherever they are found,
Just like her mother always was,
And her family is around.
She stands just like her grampa,
With a thumb tucked through a loop.
Her boots are worn and dirty
Cuz that’s how her daddy’s look.
She’s hanging on a fence rail
Not far from daddy’s side.
She’s always right there watching,
Waiting for her chance to ride.
She’s taken bumps upon the ground
But fear, she boldly mocks.
Her favorite place is to be found
On a saddle in her socks.
Cuz if she’s slow to waking up
And takes too long to eat,
She sometimes fails to don her boots
So socks adorn her feet.
She sits upon her daddy’s knee
And talks about the cows,
Reminds him of some horse’s needs
But will not help him plow!
Her brothers sometimes linger
To lend her helping hands.
But they all ride for duty
While she rides for the brand.
She’ll take her place, not long from now
And daily she’ll learn how
To carry on the heart and soul
Of this legacy she loves now.
© by Sally Harper Bates.
Used here with the author’s permission.
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Sally Harper Bates was raised on an Arizona ranch, immersed in Western culture and traditions like multiple generations of her family before her. A singer, songwriter, novelist, and poet, she’s frequently featured at cowboy poetry gatherings around the country and has been nominated for Female Cowboy Poet of the Year three times. Active in her church as well as in 4-H, the Arizona Cowpuncher’s Association, and other organizations, Sally lives with her husband in Chino Valley, Arizona.
     
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Wilda Morris:
Love it!
Posted 01/20/2024 10:38 AM
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Lori Levy:
I agree, great portrait of this cowgirl.
Posted 01/19/2024 02:40 PM
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Anastasia:
A lively portrait of a determined young woman!
Posted 01/19/2024 12:50 PM
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dmcattle:
Sally's poetry is always on the mark, painting a vivid picture.
Posted 01/19/2024 12:30 PM
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peggy.turnbull:
Fun poem. I like how it bounces and moves, and that girl is entirely believable, even to me, city-born and city-raised.
Posted 01/19/2024 11:37 AM
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Tom Sharpe:
Sally has been a dear friend for well over thirty years. Her songs have traveled thousands of miles with me, always bringing me back to my roots. She is a good writer and is the essence of what cowboy poetry is all about, occupational poetry, written by those who have spent a lifetime in the occupation.
Posted 01/19/2024 10:27 AM
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Darrell Arnold:
Sally is a brilliant thinker, and she expresses it in her poetry. I have three volumes of her poetry, and every time I get into them and read them, I can easily find a new favorite poem just by turning more pages. Horsewomen are blessed and special people. They are certainly not women who have to be taken care of. Sally's life is immersed in cowboy culture, and she is one of the premier purveyors of it. I can't say enough good things about this good woman.
Posted 01/19/2024 08:45 AM
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