Welcome To The Bullpen
From Dark to Done
By Harold Ratliff
Up before the morning sun,
a full days work, so much to be done.
Feed the horses before your own,
grab a bite to eat, then get going.
Still not daylight, I saddle up,
hook the trailer up to my old truck.
I load my mount for the long days ride,
pull away from the bunk-house, settle down inside.
I head on over to the west pasture first,
arriving in time just to see the sun burst,
over the eastern horizon, daylight at last.
Better unload my sorrel, get moving real fast.
Boss said we got mommas ready to bust,
and calves on the ground, grass turning to dust.
With no rain to speak of, some say it’s a drought,
if there’s no moisture soon, there will be little doubt.
Located the herd at one of the tanks.
Not much to drink for the cows from these banks.
I get them all started to the south side,
where eighteen wheel trucks await to give them a ride.
Moving this group to a much better place,
where the grass is still growing in a much larger space,
and where the calves can grow bigger each and every day,
where water from the well, is in abundance today.
The cattle are loaded, the trucks are all gone,
time to ride fence-line, make sure nothings wrong.
Me and Billy Joe strung this line bout five years ago,
and each strand stayed tight through heat, sleet, and snow.
The day is hot, sweat pours from my brow.
My trusty ole cayuse is dripping now,
with sweat, she drips from front to hind.
a better horse, you’ll never find.
This ole sorrel mare with her purty blaze face,
for ten years now, thanks to God’s amazing grace,
we’ve covered some ground, working hard, riding tall,
during winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Took care of the ole girl since she was a colt,
when her momma died cause of a lightning bolt.
I can honestly say she’s my very best friend,
and she’ll give her all right up til the end.
We stop by the well-head to get a cold drink,
as the days moves by quickly when I start to think,
there’s still lots to do fore this day is to end,
tighten the girth and get going again.
Before this day is finally through,
I’ll check water gaps, stock tanks, and look for strays too.
I see clouds to the west, over the horizon,
a blessed sight for this country so baron.
It’s closing in on the end of the day,
The storm clouds close in with a lightning display.
Load my mare for the ride back through the gate,
to home where a brushing and grain await.
Sittin here listening to the rain pounding down,
I contemplate tomorrow, think I’ll run into town.
Life on this ranch is a never ending task,
but wonder if I love it, you’ll never have to ask.
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