Poetry On Odyssey: Stormy Mountain Ride
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Poetry On Odyssey: Stormy Mountain Ride

Driving cattle in the wild west can be a dangerous job.

130
Poetry On Odyssey: Stormy Mountain Ride
Sam Warren

The embers smoldered as the wranglers rose for the day,

As the blood red sun was creeping up in the Eastern sky

All 92 yearlings waited in the pen to be driven up to the mountain pastures,

While the young cowboys saddled up to climb the peaks.

They moved the cattle along the dusty old path used by ranchers for years,

And called “Hee-yah!” to the dirty brown animals.

On the road they passed ancient trees old as the hills themselves,

Rocky walls that crumbled and a small rusty frame that had been abandoned.


The forest and rocky cliffs once again flanked them on either side,

As if a blanket had been thrown over them the noise was muffled.

The echo of hooves and the sound of the few raindrops dripping,

With the occasional grunt from a cow were the only sounds that were left intact.


Soon the road narrowed and steepened,

And the clouds began to gather in the sky.

Without a lick of fear the party carried on,

With the Cowboys calling and the yearlings lowing.


The storm had started to blow as the crew reached a plateau,

The cattle now moving more energetically and anxiously as the rain began to fall.

The sky rumbled and darkened while the water dropped,

But the cowboys straightened their hats and continued to drive.


The last leg was known to be a dangerous area surrounded by cliffs,

Rattlesnakes and the haunting souls lost there.

Steadily the cowboys pushed through the mud,

While thunder rolled and rain began to pour.


A runt in the herd had its hoove caught on a root deep in a muddy puddle,

Next to a cliff edge and no one could be left behind.

A brave you rancher tried to sling his lariat to the cow to free him,

But the attempts failed so he dismounted and made his way to save the yearling.


The thrashing brown mass kicked and cried to be united with the rest,

The young cowboy reached into the puddle and freed the foot.

All at once the yearling broke free and a stray hoove landed on the head of the rancher,

Sending him tumbling over the rocky ledge!


If not for a root catching on his belt he would have been lost,

But fate had spared him that day and he reached the cliff once again.

He mounted his steed with blood in his hair,

The crew all carried on once again.

Finally the peak had been reached!

The storm had become calm and the wind was slow.

The young cattle happily grazed in the field,

And the cowboys made their camp.


All were accounted for and no one was troubled,

Despite the storm everyone was alive.

They had survived the wild west and all it dangers,

Before their meal they bowed their heads and prayed.


Disclaimer: This is a fictional work of poetry. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a poetic manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

39703
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

24283
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950254
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

129752
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments