Hoping to Hear Spurs

Photograph: Merri Melde


If I could rope the sun
I would lasso its beams
to use as a candle
to light your way home.

The hills are a lonely passage
between daylight and dusk
with nothing but coyotes and cactus
to hear your hoof beats strike dust.

You are horse and range
bonded to a leather saddle,
but I feel the sigh in your arms
when the trail calls you from my arms.

You’ve whispered in my ear more than once
the campfire is cold warmth
compared to the heat of our bodies
entwined in a lover’s dance on satin.

I gave up long ago trying to play
a macho card against your cowgirl strength.
You told me you didn’t need a man. You wanted one.
I’m happy to be the man you chose.

 Hoping for the sound of clinking spurs
to break the noisy silence, I sit wringing my hands
like a thirteen year old boy with a crush
waiting for the star knitted night to bring you back to me.


©Susie Clevenger 2013

At Real Toads Margaret has challenged us to write cowboy/cowgirl poetry using the beautiful photography of Merri Melde, The Equestrian Vagabond




Comments

Margaret said…
Wanted, not needed. Nice cowGIRL voice in this poem
kaykuala said…
The hills are a lonely passage
between daylight and dusk
with nothing but coyotes and cactus
to hear your hoof beats strike dust

A realistic beat to cowboy country. Just like those in the movies! Beautiful write Susie!

Hank
Helen said…
Susie, you took on the challenge of 'lite' and turned it into a deep, wonderfully sensuous poem. Nice.
Sreeja said…
so nice! I like that sound...
Susie Clevenger said…
@Margaret, thank you and thanks so much for the prompt!
@Hank, Thanks!
@Helen, thank you. I wanted the cowgirl's femininity to shine just as powerful as her strength.
@Sreeja, Thanks!
Kerry O'Connor said…
So interesting to read this from the perspective of the man admiring the cowgirl for her strength and tenacity.
hedgewitch said…
Goat ropers need love, too--as we say around here, or maybe they just want it, regardless of gender. Very human voice in this Susie. Enjoyed it much.
Kay L. Davies said…
This is wonderful, Susie. The rhythm of the range, and the depth of his love for her...gorgeous.
K
Jinksy said…
A lady in spurs? Dodgy! LOL
Maggie Grace said…
Powerfully and beautifully written ♥
Anonymous said…
Susie, I like your finish with these "I sit wringing my hands
like a thirteen year old boy with a crush
waiting for the star knitted night to bring you back to me." The simile is so vivid. :)
Susie Clevenger said…
@Kerry, thank you. I thought about the times my husband has said to me through the years that he admired my strength when things got tough.
@hedgewitch, thank you. I usually write broken heart poems. It was nice to write one that had a happier feel to it.
@Kay, Thanks so much!
@Jinksy, yep. The gal wore the spurs in this tale. :)
@Maggie, thank you
@Thanks Patricia, :)
Anonymous said…
This wonderful, love that it is from the male perspective!

The new prompt is up =)
Fireblossom said…
Western Swing meets true emotion. I love the line about not needing a man but wanting one. You are such a talented writer, Susie.
Lisa Williams said…
Really enjoyed this Susie. I agree with Fireblossom, you are a very talented writer.
Unknown said…
Good job cow girl :)