Poetry & Stories
This page is dedicated to the writings of Mary “Barnyard Mare” Powell, Duchess of the Prairie. Face it, we all need a little distraction from the world sometimes.
Code of the Doe
I think she ready to kid, or…maybe not!
She sure is moaning and groaning a lot.
That darn doe is at it again, making me think she ready to have kids.
She was due last week, or in two weeks for sure!
How much longer do I have to endure?
She’s making me sleepless; she’s ready to kid.
When will she release those hostages within?
I can tell you for sure, she’ll kid when she’s ready,
My nerves are shot, my hands are unsteady.
It isn’t just her it is the whole darn herd,
Waiting for them to kid out, I’ll go crazy I’m assured!
Every year since forever, I put up with these does,
And every year, this is the way that it all goes.
They wait until there is a storm on the horizon,
To keep me hopping and try to be surprising.
It’s the code of the doe that I’m talking about,
Her rules are simple, to keep her hostages, instead of letting them out,
And making you wonder and making you doubt,
Did she really get bred or is she just bloated out?
You get so mad at that darn goat, for being a brat.
She keeps hiding from you and you can’t see where she is at.
The code of the doe, is simple you see,
To not be easy, but to be con-trary.
Holding those babies hostage until the last minute,
No way else that I can spin it.
She crosses her legs and blows up like a balloon
Checking pregnant goats in my pjs, I think she’ll kid soon!
Up every two hours to check the shed and the pens,
Then back to my bed, to take a nap again.
Oh, why oh, why do they have to be this way?
Ooh Lord help me, I’m feeling weak in the legs!
They keep me hopping and fretting, until all energy I’ve spent,
Then they pop out some kids when to bed I’ve went!
Ain’t Much Difference
They ain’t much difference between a cow and a goat
When you are driving them across the Plaines,
Neither follows directions and they all have to complain.
A cow will take to higher ground; a goat will climb there too,
A goat will run the opposite direction, just to spite you.
A cow will challenge your dog and your horse,
A goat drags your dog though an obstacle course.
A cow will sometimes honor a fence, a goat just runs on through,
A goat when lost or scared comes bellowing, looking for you.
An old cow and an old goat, you know their every move,
A crazy goat and crazy cow, frustrates the heck out of you.
Now I’ve punched cattle and I’ve punched goats
And they ain’t much difference I find,
Except at night, when camping out,
A goat wants to sleep by your side.
Border Collies
“Get around them.” I said, and she flew out of sight,
A black and white streak that ran into the night.
The goats had escaped and all scattered,
But with Jinx in control, she’d catch them n o matter.
Her speed like the lightning, her skill beyond measure,
I smiled with pride at my wonderful treasure.
She stopped their escape and gathered them in,
She sat beside me, looked up and grinned.
No greater value, no better friend.
I can’t brag enough about my border collie,
She is worth more than gold and all the world’s coffee!
She’s constantly awaiting my command or a pet,
Is she, my life? That you can bet.
Her sister is Joy, another true treasure,
She works much slower but is getting much better.
Jinx uses speed and pressure to herd,
Joy uses her eyes to control the herd.
Together they bring the herd back home
And together they help me, wherever we roam.
The old dog, she sat back and watched it all,
Miss Allie the dog that started it all.
This old gal, a while back did depart,
But the memories and love will forever fill my heart.
The puppy that follows Joy and Jinx,
The next generation and she knows how to wink!
Fly is her name; she has a great future,
Her daddy’s a champion and he’s a good teacher.
What would I do without my border collies?
I hate to think of that by golly.
Educated Cowpuncher 