Cowboy poetry is a form of

poetry Poetry (derived from the Greek ''poiesis'', "making"), also called verse, is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language − such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and metre − to evoke meanings i ...

that grew from a tradition of cowboys telling stories.

Authorship

Contrary to common belief, cowboy poetry does not actually have to be written by cowboys, though adherents would claim that authors should have some connection to the cowboy life such that they can write poetry with an "insider's perspective". One example of a popular "cowboy poem" written by a non-cowboy is "The Ride of Paul Venarez" by

Eben E. Rexford Eben Eugene Rexford (July 16, 1848 – October 18, 1916) was an American writer and poet, and author of lyrics to popular and gospel songs. Biography Eben E. Rexford was born in Johnsburg, New York on July 16, 1848. He moved with his family t ...

, a 19th-Century freelance author.

Style

Newcomers are surprised to hear that cowboy poetry is contemporary. Many poets tend to focus on the historic cowboy lifestyle, historical events and the humorous aspects of the cowboy life style. However, the work that cowboys do continues. The cowboy lifestyle is a living tradition that exists in western North America and other areas, thus, contemporary cowboy poetry is still being created, still being recited, and still entertaining many at cowboy poetry gatherings, around campfires and cowboy poetry competitions. Much of what is known as "old time" country music originates from the rhyming couplet style often seen in cowboy poetry along with guitar music.

Themes

Typical themes of cowboy poetry include: * Ranch work and those who perform it * Western lifestyle * Landscape of the American and Canadian West * Cowboy values and practices * Humorous anecdotes * Memories of times and people long gone * Sarcasm regarding modern contraptions and/or ways The following is a verse from LaVerna Johnson's poem "Homestead", which exhibits traditional cowboy poetry features: (Note the use of cowboy vernacular such as ''quakie'' (

Populus tremuloides ''Populus tremuloides'' is a deciduous tree native to cooler areas of North America, one of several species referred to by the common name aspen. It is commonly called quaking aspen, trembling aspen, American aspen, mountain or golden aspen, tr ...

, trembling poplar or aspen known as a "quakie tree")). Though it deals with those who work with

livestock Livestock are the domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to provide labor and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The term is sometimes used to refer solely to animals ...

and nature, it would be incorrect to categorize cowboy poetry as

pastoral A pastoral lifestyle is that of shepherds herding livestock around open areas of land according to seasons and the changing availability of water and pasture. It lends its name to a genre of literature, art, and music (pastorale) that depicts ...

. Cowboy poetry is noted for its romantic imagery, but at no time does it sacrifice realism in favor of it. Few examples of experimental verse are known in cowboy poetry. One argument is that cowboy poetry is meant to be recited and should "sound like poetry." The counter-argument runs that imposing a particular structure on cowboy poetry would move the focus away from the subject matter. Regardless, most cowboy poets stay within more classical guidelines, especially rhyming verse. Free verse poetry is uncommon in cowboy poetry.

Poetry weeks

Cowboy poetry continues to be written and celebrated today.

Baxter Black Baxter Black (January 10, 1945 – June 10, 2022) was an American cowboy poet and veterinarian. He wrote over 30 books of poetry, fiction—both novels and children's literature—and commentary, selling over two million books, CDs, and DVDs. ...

is probably the most famous, and possibly the most prolific, contemporary cowboy poet. In addition to the

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering (formerly: Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering), is an annual gathering celebrating cowboy poetry produced by the Western Folklife Center, that takes place in Elko, Nevada, United States. History William Wilson secu ...

held every year in Elko,

Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. N ...

, many cities in the United States and Canada have annual "roundups" dedicated to cowboy poetry. Cowboy Poetry week is celebrated each April in the United States and Canada.

Notable cowboy poets

S. Omar Barker S. Omar Barker (June 16, 1894 – April 2, 1985), was an American cowboy poet, politician rancher, and teacher in New Mexico. He published many books, including ''Vientos de las Sierras'' (1924), ''Buckaroo Ballads'' (1928) and ''Rawhide Rhymes: ...

* Arthur Chapman * Badger Clark * Curley Fletcher *

Steven Fromholz Steven John Fromholz (June 8, 1945 – January 19, 2014) was an American singer-songwriter who was selected as the Poet Laureate of Texas for 2007. Biography Steven Fromholz was born in Temple, Texas, United States, and graduated from high sch ...

Cathy Park Hong Cathy Park Hong (born August 7, 1976) is an American poet, writer, and professor who has published three volumes of poetry. Much of her work includes mixed language and serialized narrative. She was named on the 2021 Time 100 list for her writing ...

* Bruce Kiskaddon *

Wally McRae Wallace D. "Wally" McRae (born February 26, 1936) is an American rancher, cowboy, cowboy poet and philosopher. He runs the Rocker Six Cattle Co. ranch on Rosebud Creek, south of Rosebud, Montana. Biography McRae is a third-generation ranche ...

Waddie Mitchell Bruce Douglas "Waddie" Mitchell (born 1950 in Elko County, Nevada) is an American cowboy poet. He sometimes performs his poems with a guitarist playing in the background. Mitchell has made eight CDs including '' That No Quit Attitude, Lone Drifti ...

Joel Nelson Joel Nelson is a cowboy poet. He is a recipient of a 2009 National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government t ...

Red Steagall Russell "Red" Steagall (born December 22, 1938) is an American actor, musician, poet, and stage performer, who focuses on American Western and country music genres. Early life and day jobs He was born in Gainesville, Texas, United States. He ...

Paul Zarzyski Paul Zarzyski (born 1951) is a cowboy poet and educator. He is a former bareback bronc rider. Biography Paul Zarzyski was born on May 25, 1951, and he grew up in Hurley, Wisconsin.. Zarzyski received his Master of Fine Arts degree in creative ...

In addition,

Robert W. Service Robert William Service (January 16, 1874 – September 11, 1958) was a British-Canadian poet and writer, often called "the Bard of the Yukon". The middle name 'William' was in honour of a rich uncle. When that uncle neglected to provide for hi ...

is sometimes classified as a cowboy poet. Famed spoken-word artist Bingo Gazingo has done at least one cowboy poem, "Everything's OK at the OK Corral."

Notes

External links

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Elko, Nevada

Pincher Creek, Alberta, Cowboy Gathering

Cowboy and Western Poetry at the Bar-D Ranch

Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Video from Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering

cowboy poetry gathering in Cartersville, GA

Website of the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association

"Cowboy Poets" film at folkstreams.net

Western & Cowboy Poetry by Clark Crouch

Waddie Mitchell web page

KPOV-FM
Community Radio features Cowboy Poetry on the "Calling All Cowboys" online radio program. Live broadcast on 88.9 KPOV, on Wednesdays at 6PM and Sundays at 4PM (Pacific time) through the "Listen Live" link. It can also be streamed on demand at the following link: http://kpov-od.streamguys.us/calling_all_cowboys_new_56k.mp3 {{Rodeo Genres of poetry Cowboy culture