She told me that it had better be my last bull ride,
That morning when I loaded up the truck
and headed out for Cheyenne on the long road
that I hoped would finally bring me some good luck.
Years of following roads that stretched to more roads
had worn her patience down to a thin strand.
It was either rodeo or hershe didn't care which
and my mind was whirling as I drove across the land.
Bull riding was a-running in my blood stream
but my bones were cracked and worn from many rides.
Her scathing verbal shots she made really hurt more
for they were tearing up my whole insides.
She had no understanding of the feeling
that exists between the bull and rider there
a challenge just so strong it outweighs good sense
and that quitting always gave me a bad scare.
I wasn't sure that I could ever settle down
I'd traveled empty roads too many times.
I parked and unloaded all my worn gear
and figured out my cash was nearly down to dimes.
My mind was riding on her last words to me,
when I climbed aboard the bull called old "Hell's Gate"--
a gigantic piece of hatred snorting hell fire
and when I woke up, it nearly was too late.
He roared out of the gate and tried to dump me
but I held on with all the strength I had
I'd fight this battle first and then I'd tackle her later
but I was flying and knew it would be bad.
The clown ran in to try and distract Hell's Gate
but the bull was fury foaming on four feet,
head down, horns aiming deadly at my hind side
and I could nearly feel points tearing up my seat.
I s'pose I saw my wasted life flash before me
but I was running too damned fast to see it much!
That bull was closer than I cared to feel him
I wasn't fond of his bad breath and such!
I climbed the fence in Olympic time, they told me,
And that old bull finally made me decide
my wife was right-- I'd rather live with her tongue lashings.
I truly do believe that was my last bull ride!
Jean Mathisen is a member of a seven-generation ranching family in the Lander Valley. She has been writing western poetry since age 8 and is the author of six books of western poetry and 500 articles on Wyoming and western history.
High Country Communications