Cattle and Cowboys Heading Away
the old cattle trail winds
stubbornly through bits
and crumbles of
mountain rock its
narrow sun-baked way
through sage and scrub brush
the long rope of cattle
swinging slow along the
stubble in the dusty air
sweat–hatted men behind
on horses urging them
toward sunset and the
time when cowboys
tell tall tales and
ribald jokes sing poetry
in the crisp dark smok–
ey firelight passing
the whiskey hand to hand
till worn from their work
and warmed and weary
turn their bodies into
bedrolls on the ground
and sleep
After the Edson Smith Photo Collection Hollister Ranch
Delia Moon is a Santa Barbara Poet from Bodega California. The earth of both places has entered her bones. She is married and has children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.