Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A COWBOY'S PRAYER (WRITTEN FOR MOTHER), by CHARLES BADGER CLARK JR. Poet's Biography First Line: Oh lord, I've never lived where churches grow Last Line: That stretches upward toward the great divide. Alternate Author Name(s): Clark, Badger Subject(s): Cowboys | ||||||||
Oh Lord, I've never lived where churches grow. I love creation better as it stood That day You finished it so long ago And looked upon Your work and called it good. I know that others find You in the light That's sifted down through tinted window panes, And yet I seem to feel You near tonight In this dim, quiet starlight on the plains. I thank You, Lord, that I am placed so well, That You have made my freedom so complete; That I'm no slave of whistle, clock or bell, Nor weak-eyed prisoner of wall and street. Just let me live my life as I've begun And give me work that's open to the sky; Make me a pardner of the wind and sun, And I won't ask a life that's soft or high. Let me be easy on the man that's down; Let me be square and generous with all. I'm careless sometimes, Lord, when I'm in town, But never let 'em say I'm mean or small! Make me as big and open as the plains, As honest as the hawse between my knees, Clean as the wind that blows behind the rains, Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze! Forgive me, Lord, if sometimes I forget. You know about the reasons that are hid. You understand the things that gall and fret; You know me better than my mother did. Just keep an eye on all that's done and said And right me, sometimes, when I turn aside, And guide me on the long, dim trail ahead That stretches upward toward the Great Divide. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HOMESICK COWBOY by EARL ALONZO BRININSTOOL THE MOVIE PICTURE COWBOY by EARL ALONZO BRININSTOOL AT THE COWBOY PANEL by EDWARD DORN PLATE 134. BY EAKINS. 'A COWBOY IN THE WEST ...' by DAVID FERRY BACKDROP ADDRESSES COWBOY by MARGARET ATWOOD LLANO VAQUEROS by JIMMY SANTIAGO BACA COLORADO MORTON'S RIDE by LEONARD BACON (1887-1954) A BORDER AFFAIR by CHARLES BADGER CLARK JR. |
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