HOME page> NEW STUFF page> WRITING CONTENT page> GUEST ARTISTS page> The Poetry of David Carlton A cowboy’s life is not always lived wide open. Sometimes, when things slow down a little, he might even take time to reflect upon the things around him. It is a great pleasure to live and work under the great blue sky, but when a cowboy slows down, he has the opportunity to think about things, other than his work. This poem is based upon those moments.. David L. Carlton Cowboy Life  by David Carlton  Silver spurs upon my feet A John B. on my head A saddle for my pillow, and A blanket for my bed   The stars they sparkle in a violet sky With dew upon the ground A coyote howls his mournful cry It’s a haunting weary sound   I hear my pony munching grass As he hobble hops around Trying to fill his empty belly With some grass that he has found   The cattle are bedded on the upwind side Scattered across the ground I hear the singing of the night rider As he slowly makes his rounds   I think of the pleasures I left at home And wonder about my wife Such are the thoughts of a lonely man Who has chosen a cowboy life DC Missing You  by David Carlton  Sometimes my heart Seems out of place As memories of you Roll down my face   They’re not really tears That roll from my eyes But the realization you’re gone That I have come to realize   I miss you Mom More every day We’d still be together If I could have my way   But you’re in Heaven now Reunited with Dad I’m happy for that But your loss makes me sad   But the time will come And it’s not too far away When our families will unite In an everlasting day   Where time no longer matters And there is eternal good And the blessings of God Are finally understood   But until that day I’ll remember the love That I feel from my Mother From our Heaven up above   I’ll remember the lessons You taught me as a boy And the lessons of manhood That I try to employ   I’ll remember the sad times That came storming in But I wouldn’t trade a minute If I could do it all again   I think you were successful In shaping my life I have a wonderful family And a very loving wife   As my time on Earth ends And my candle flickers out I’ll be coming Home to you There is never a doubt   I’m not in a hurry From this Earth to depart But until that time comes You’ll be in my heart   So when things around me Seem all out of place The memories of you Will roll down my face DC A friend of mine recently took a picture of the sun coming up. The colors were rich and pure, and made me feel like I was there. Sunrise is a very special time, and the following poem is based upon what the picture brought to mind. David L. Carlton Sunrise David L. Carlton For more of David’s poetry, go to “The Poetry of David Carlton.”  Good morning Sunshine And welcome to earth The best part of daylight Is at its moment of birth Just when the day breaks With dew on the ground It’s a moment of discovery That this cowboy has found Ground-fog adds mystery Of the things yet to come Some will be troubling And some will be fun So take a moment friend Each and every day At the moment of Sunrise It’s the cowboy way DC This poem is based upon an old cowboy who once worked at the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio, Texas. He had left his home in east Texas as a 12 year old, and had gone west to find a job as a cowboy. He had never married, and had no family that he knew of, except a sister he had lost contact with when he left home those many years ago.. When I met him, he was a stove-up old hide, whose joints squeaked when he walked. Nothing was wrong with his voice or mind, and he had been hired to entertain visitors around the old chuck wagon on the Institute of Texas Cultures exhibit floor. I was a part-time security guard at the time, and we talked about how our cowboy lives were the same in a lot of ways, and different in others. He once told me that the only thing he felt like he really missed in life, was a family and a “nagging old wife.” The Institute staff later traced down his long-lost sister, that he hadn't seen since he left home as a kid, and arrange a reunion. This made him a very happy old cowboy. Here's to Cowboy Bill. David L. Carlton Nagging Old Wife by David Carlton  A old worn out saddle A rope that is frayed A horse that's too old He's seen better days A dog eared old Stetson With boots broken down A rusty old truck With one road to town An old cowboy's possessions Are not silver… or gold But his trappings of life That could never be sold His possessions are simple And so is his life But he'd give it all up For a nagging old wife He's rode for the brand For too many years He's worn out and old And he’s facing his fears Afraid to go on Into the twilight of life Never having a family Or nagging old wife This poem is also published in my book Poetry of a Florida Cowboy.   DC Page Three> enoughHome_1.htmlNew_Stuff.htmlEssays.htmlEssays.htmlGuest_Artists.htmlDavid_Carlton.htmlDavid_Carlton.htmlDavid_Carlton.htmlDavid_Carlton.htmlhttp://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Florida-Cowboy-David-Carlton/dp/1477268561Poetry_of_DC_3.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4shapeimage_1_link_5shapeimage_1_link_6shapeimage_1_link_7shapeimage_1_link_8shapeimage_1_link_9shapeimage_1_link_10shapeimage_1_link_11