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The Horse Trader

I traded for a horse one time
He wouldn't take no beauty prize
A great big long-eared blue roan gelding
Not too bad fore weight and size
I had to make some tough old circles
And this trader guaranteed
This horse would show me lots of country
And not need too much rest or feed

He said, "Now this here ain't no kids horse
But he'll pack you up the creek
He will bump up on some occasions
And he has been known to kick
I wouldn't trade him just to anyone
Without having some remorse
But if yer a shore enough cow puncher
Mister, he's yer kinda of horse

I stepped on that horse the next mornin'
He began to buck and bawl
That trader maybe hadn't lied none
But he hadn't told it all
Because we shore tore up the country
Where he throwed that equine fit
And I almost ran out of hand holds
By the time he finally quit

I guess that must'a set the pattern
Things just never seems to change
Although I showed him lots of country
Every corner of the range
But every time I'd ride that BOOGER
Why, he'd keep me sittin' tight
I knew I'd make at least three bronc rides
` Fore he'd pack me home that night

Which woulda been ok
With lots of horses that I knowed
But that old pony had my number
I'd just barely got him rode
And the thing that really spooked me
And put a damper on my pride
He was learning how to buck
Faster than I was learning how to ride

I pulled into camp one evening;
It was getting pretty late
I see this grey horse in the corral
And there's a saddle by the gate
I looked that grey over
And I shore like what I seen
Then this kid showed up around the barn
He must'a been sixteen

He said, he'd lamed that grey horse that morning
Coming down off the granite grade
And he wondered if I had a horse
I'd maybe like to trade
He said, "He didn't have time to stop
And rest and let him heal
And since that beggers can't be choosers
He'd make most any kind of deal."

When a feller's tradin' horses
Why, most anything is fair
So I traded him that blue roan
For his grey horse then and there
But then my conscience started hurtin'
When I thought of what I did
To trade a "FLY BLOWN" dink like that
Off to some little wet-nosed kid.

So next mornin' after breakfast
Why, I told him "Listen lad,
If you want to know the truth
That trade you made last nite was bad
That old blue horse is a tough one
Bas as any one you'll see
He'll kick you, strike you, and stampede
He's a sorry S.O.B! "

"It's all I can do to ride him
And I'll tell it to you straight
I think you'll be awfully lucky
Just to ride him past the gate
There are two or three old horses
Out there in the saddle bunch
They ain't got too much going for'em
But I kinda got a hunch

They'll probably get ya where yer goin'
If you just don't crowd'em none
But damn, I hate to see you ride
That blue roan BOOGER son! "
He said, "I told ya there last nite
I'd make most any trade
And I appreciate yer tellin'
What a bad mistake I made."

"But my old daddy told me
When yer tradin' that no matter
How you feel even if you take a whippin'
That a deal is still a deal
That horse, you say has lots to travel
And he's not too bad for speed
Well Sir, I'm kinda in a tight
And that equally what I need.

I traded him fair and square
And damn his blue roan hide
When I pulled out'ta here this mornin'
That's the horse I'm gunna ride
I watched him cinching up his saddle
And he pulled his hat way down
Stepped right up into the riggin'
Like he's headed straight to town

Stuck both spurs up in his shoulders
Got the blue roan's hair a-flyin'
Tipped his head straight back and screamed
Just like a hungry mountain lion
You know, I've heard lots of stories
` Bout the Bucking Horse Ballet
I've heard poetry in motion
But the ride I saw today

Just plum complete defied description
Though I can see it plain
Like it had happened in slow motion
And was branded on my brain
I don't suppose I could explain it
To you even if I tried
The only think that I can say is
By the saints the kid could ride.

He sat there plum relaxed
Like he was lying in bed
And every move that pony made
That kid was a-half a jump a head
When it was over I decided
I could learn a few things more
And I said, "SON, I'm awfully sorry
I misjudged yer riding skills! "

He said, "Shucks that's okay mister."
As he started on his way
But if you think this horse can buck
Don't put yer saddle on that grey! !

poem by Kendra Tyler
Added by Poetry Lover
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