Stan Tixier Our Featured Poet - Stan Tixier
The following poem was featured in the
November 2002 issue of Western Horseman.
Congratulations, Stan!
You Get the Gate!
Did you ever ride with someone whose idea of temptin' fate
Was getting' off his horse to maybe open up a gate?
A guy who sits right there astride his pony all the while
And lets his partner get each gate, and all he does is smile?
It matters not if gates involved are hinged and swingin' free,
Or whether of the Texas-style that fasten, don't you see,
With gate sticks fit inside a wire to hold 'em snug and tight,
This guy won't open either one; he'd rather sit all night!
He says his back is achin' him and that his knees are sore,
And getting' off and on his horse just makes 'em both hurt more.
He says his horse's back is round from shoulder to the hip,
With withers badly lacking and the saddle's sure to slip.
And so on every ride we take, he just sits there astraddle
His trusty round-backed pony like he's Velcroed to the saddle.
While I hope down and open up each gate and he rides through,
I'm getting' madder every gate; now I ask, "Wouldn't you?"
On one such ride, with gates galore, my partner sittin' still,
I let him know in certain term, "By golly, Pard, I will
Not open up that final gate, it's yours to get," I said.
"If you want through that last on, pal, you'd better call ahead."
I figured that would shame him so he'd finally take his turn,
But 'bout his ingenuity, I had a lot to learn.
A sheriff's car was sittin' there, the gate agap, undone.
He'd gotton on his cell phone and he'd dialed 911!
-Stan Tixier
Do you have a favorite Utah Cowboy Poet? Or... do you have a "new one" you're just dying to get some feedback on? Send your suggestions for poets to feature on this page.email here
