When my trail stretches out to the edge of the sky Through the desert so empty and bright, When I'm watchin' the miles as they go crawlin' by And a-hopin' I'll get there by night, Then my hawse never speaks through the long sunny day, But my saddle he sings in his creaky old way: @3"Easy—easy—easy— For a temperit pace ain't a crime. Let your mount hit it steady, but give him his ease, For the sun hammers hard and there's never a breeze. We kin get there in plenty of time."@1 When I'm after some critter that's hit the high lope, And a-spurrin' my hawse till he flies, When I'm watchin' the chances for throwin' my rope And a-winkin' the sweat from my eyes, Then the leathers they squeal with the lunge and the swing And I work to the livelier tune that they sing: "@3Reach 'im! reach 'im! reach 'im! If you lather your hawse to the heel! There's a time to be slow and a time to be quick; Never mind if it's rough and the bushes are thick— Pull your hat down and fling in the steel!"@1 When I've rustled all day till I'm achin' for rest And I'm ordered a night-guard to ride, With the tired little moon hangin' low in the west And my sleepiness fightin' my pride, Then I nod and I blink at the dark herd below And the saddle he sings as my hawse paces slow: @3"Sleepy—sleepy—sleepy— We was ordered a close watch to keep, But I'll sing you a song in a drowsy old key; All the world is a-snoozin' so why shouldn't we? Go to sleep, pardner mine, go to sleep."@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INGRATEFUL [OR UNGRATEFUL] BEAUTY THREATENED by THOMAS CAREW THREE GATES [OF GOLD] by ELIZABETH DAYTON THE PASSIONATE MAN'S PILGRIMAGE by WALTER RALEIGH SEVEN SAD SONNETS: 5. SHE THINKS OF THE FAITHFUL ONE by MARY REYNOLDS ALDIS HUMAN IGNORANCE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH PASSING HOURS by HELENA A. BOOTH SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 9 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |