Cowboy Christmas

Cold fingers numb
Cowpony stumbles drags
Through ice and snow
Stars light the winter herd

In the distance a carol
Snow melts from the sound
Cowboy feels Christmas Grace
As the pony makes his rounds

A steer bolts from the herd
Bless your ornery hide
The cowboy yells
A bright star lights the scene

Distant figures course the snow
Who could be out here tonight
Freezing cold I should know
Man and woman and child approach

Ragged looking starved
Midnight victuals come off the saddle
To share with the hapless pair
Off to camp on the dead run

Roping out of the remuda
For those strangers at the herd
Grab warm garb out of the chuck wagon
Racing back before they pass

All fixed up in warm cowboy raiment
Sent on their way all toasty dry
O`er the planes breaks the chorus
God bless all friends to man

--John Crowley