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| This site contains the viewpoints,
biases, and philosophies of Clark Crouch, Cowboy Poet, as
influenced by the Great Depression, years of drought, and
experience as a ranch hand in the Sandhills of Nebraska in the
1930's and 40's. Historic perspective is contained his
four books of poetry:
Voices of the Wind (2002),
Reflections (2003),
Where Horses Reign (2004), and
Sun, Sand & Soapweed (2005). The latter two contain western and cowboy poems in traditional ballad format. |
December 2006 Pearl Harbor Day + 65 -
It's been 65 years today since my folks and I sat listening to the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I was 13 at the time and that day and it's events made a life-long impression on me. A few years ago, I wrote a freeform poem, Voices of War, about the attack. If you're interested, you can click here to access it.
[Posted: December 7, 2006] November 2006 Preemptive Strikes -
It's downright crazy the way international relations are handled sometimes and I guess it's worth repeating that my Mom didn't believe in preemptive strikes but she sure supported, literally, Teddy Roosevelt's philosophy of speakin' softly and carryin' a big stick! Case in point: a first grade classroom bully was chasin' me home every evening after school. Mom, when she found out about it, handed me a big stick to carry to and from school and added a bit of advice, "you don't ever start a fight but when folks bother you, you have every right to strike back." The bully never bothered me again, figurin', I guess, that I was too well armed to mess with. I wish my Mom was around to advise some of our federal government folks about what Teddy Roosevelt really meant!
[Posted: November 27, 2006] Book Reviews in UK -
I was tremendously pleased that a fan in the UK submitted reviews of both my books of western poetry (Where Horses Reign and Sun, Sand & Soapweed) to Amazon.com in both the UK and the US. The reviews can be read, at least temporarily, by clicking here. The author is a warm and very well-read person whose endorsement is valued and very much appreciated.
[Posted: November 17, 2006] Washington Poets Association -
In response to an invitation from a member of the Washington Poets Association (WPA), I've joined that prestigious organization. In cooperation with the Washington State Arts Commission, the WPA is working toward getting the State to develop a Poet Laureate program such as exists nationally, in some of the States, and internationally. That would be a significant step forward for the arts community in Washington.
[Posted: November 12, 2006] August 2006 Maynard Ferguson -
According to the Associated Press, jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, known for his soaring high notes and for his recording of “Gonna Fly Now,” a hit version of the theme from the “Rocky” movies, died yesterday. He was my age, 78.I was privileged to meet him years ago on a first class flight from Washington, D.C. to Seattle. I'd never heard of him before so, after exchanging names, I asked, "What do you do?" His answer was, "I blow a horn." I enjoyed chatting with him during several hours of our flight about a number of topics, especially about music as he knew everyone in the genre of swing and jazz, including Gene Krupa and some other musicians that I had met over the years. At one point, a young lady came up from coach and leaned across me to address Mr. Ferguson, "May I have your autograph?" He said, "Sure," and whipped out his pen and signed her book. She looked at me, "Should I ask for your autograph?" "That'd be very nice." "May I have your autograph?" "Sure" and I whipped out my pen and signed her book. I reckon that I, other jazz lovers, and that young lady will miss Maynard Ferguson. I suspect, too, that she still wonders who that feller was who was sittin' with him on that flight from Washington to Seattle and signed her autograph book right below the signature of Maynard Ferguson. [Posted: August 25, 2006] Come Ridin' with Me -
Great news! Come Ridin with Me, my poem subtitled "Cowboy's Wedding Song", was set to music by Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue and was first performed on stage by them at the Grant County Fair in Moses Lake, Washington last week. It's done in waltz time with great yodelling sequences and has received excellent response from those who heard it.
[Posted: August 23, 2006] Goin' to Hell -
Every religion I know of seems to claim God's assurance that, if we ain't of that particular faith or persuasion, we're goin' to hell. Based on that, I reckon we'll all wind up there...dependin', of course, on which of them has a representative mannin' heaven's gate at the moment of our transition!
[Posted: August 22, 2006] Cowboy Diplomacy -
I'm sorta sick of the media and others deridin' our international outreach as cowboy diplomacy. To say that is an insult to the true character of the cowboy and, the way the term is bein' used, "vigilante diplomacy" might be more appropriate!I reckon "cowboy diplomacy" is bein' used by them folks as the result of watchin' too many movie and tv westerns where the fellers are quick on the trigger and ship their adversaries off to boothill without a second thought...sort of a preemptive mentality to shoot first and ask questions later. That just ain't now, and never was, true cowboy diplomacy. Oh, sure, cowboys love their fun and some might get carried away now and then but, in general, the cowboy is a person of character...honest, trustworthy, and respectful of others as he rides for the brand. Real cowboys love to palaver, a key to the effective practice of diplomacy and one which is eschewed by many in today’s diplomatic corps. Members of that corps consistently refuse to talk with Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea and others even though it is only through honest and open communication that international problems and issues will ever be resolved. It ain't cowboy diplomacy when we fail to communicate, when our mission is to impose our way of life on others, when we fail to respect the positions of leadership of other nations (even if not the incumbents of those positions), when we fail to recognize the humanity of adversaries, and when we resort to callin' those adversaries names rather than invitin' them to sit down and have a chat. As a result, we have the entire Middle-East, some nations of Latin America, and a few of our European friends mad at us. Our kids are dyin' for those failures and the body count in Iraq will soon exceed those precious lives lost on 9/11. All of this ain't the mark of true cowboy diplomacy and real cowboys would not have it so 'cause they value palaverin’ and sorta sense that body count is the result of failed diplomacy! [Posted: August 21, 2006] Legends of Country -
Legends of Country, a favorite western and cowboy radio show, is now on the internet at Original Country Radio Network on Saturday and Sunday. The show is hosted by Ed Dailey, a veritable fount of knowledge about the genre and a gentleman who has discovered and nurtured quite a number of talented young people over the past eleven years that he's been hosting the show. Matter of fact, he is also a supporter of some of us older folks as well.
[Posted: August 20, 2006] Antique Boots -
Bette Wolf Duncan has published one of my poems, Antique Boots, on one of her web sites. It's an honor to be featured there.Her web sites are well-worth a visit at Charlie Russell's Stagecoach, The Range Writers, and Casey's Corral. You'll find her original poetry plus the work of other western and cowboy poets on those sites as well as some of her work posted at CowboyPoetry.com. [Posted: August 14, 2006] July 2006 Forbes Book Club -
Great news! Forbes Book Club is offering all four of my poetry books (Voices of the Wind, Reflections, Where Horses Rein, and Sun, Sand & Soapweed) to their membership. Please click here for their listing.
[Posted: July 25, 2006] June 2006 Philosophies of Life -
The other day a friend asked me to share my guidelines for living. There are several listed below in no particular order.
Negotiating Strategies -
Cookie says it's a phoney offer to negotiate if either of the two parties lays down conditions or outcomes in advance...like, "we'll talk to you about water rights if you remove the dam you built on the stream otherwise we're gonna cut off the road so you can't get your cattle to market." Now, that ain't hardly an offer to negotiate is it? All the other feller can do is say "yes" or "no" to a threat like that and either way, he's likely to be the loser!Cookie reminds us that real negotiation is when folks enter into discussion to seek a mutually beneficial outcome. He says a good starting point for helpful discussion in this case would be the mutual recognition that both parties need water and access to market! [Posted: June 2, 2006] May 2006 Leaping to Conflict -
As a history buff, I tend to define the progression of deteriorating intercultural and international relationships with six "C's"...congeniality, conciliation, containment, confrontation, conflict, and catastrophe.My grandpa cited the history of the Battle of the Little Bighorn as an example of an avoidable, irrational, and indefensible conflict. George Armstrong Custer's ego and ambition led him to refuse congeniality, avoid conciliation, ignore containment, and initiate a confrontation which led to conflict and ultimate catastrophe for the 7th Cavalry and many Native Americans. The same mentality was evident even in mediaeval times during the 600-year history of the Crusades where Crusaders leaped to conflict, more eager to "bloody their swords" than to seek a peaceful resolution of differences. The bottom line is that, over the years, far too many leaders here and elsewhere around the world have ignored the lessons of history, leaping directly and too quickly to confrontation and conflict. [Posted: May 30, 2006] Wiggle Room -
Grandpa always said, whenever you're negotiatin' to cut a deal, leave the other feller some "wiggle room". If you take too firm a position and the deal don't go through, the other side is gonna claim victory. But if both sides got a little wiggle room, neither one will lose face.He also said when you're negotiatin' use "and" instead of "but" when you're respondin' to the other feller. "I see your point 'and'..." will get you further than " I see your point 'but'..." [Posted: May 28, 2006] Diplomacy -
Old Sam wonders how anybody can claim to be pursuing problems in a diplomatic fashion when they refuse to talk to folks on the other side. He also speculates that callin' others names probably gets them too riled up to talk to us anyhow. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary sorta sees diplomacy in a more traditional and respectful way...
Body Count -
Body count is the measure of failed diplomacy!
[Posted: May 7, 2006] Truth -
My paternal grandpa was a font of wisdom. One thing he taught me was to always tell the truth...that way I'd never have trouble remembering what I told somebody. Makes sense to me!
[Posted: May 3, 2006] Law Day (May 1) -
The selection of May 1 for yesterday's demonstrations advocating amnesty for illegal aliens in the United States is strange and ironical. After all, May 1 is Law Day, first proclaimed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958, to celebrate our legal heritage, the role of law, and the rights and duties which are the foundation of peace and prosperity for this world.
[Posted: May 2, 2006] A Day With Immigrants -
Cookie says he did his major shopping this morning to celebrate legal immigration and his U.S. flag is proudly flying in recognition of the assimilated diversity of our people.The "illegals"? Cookie says they're probably nice folks...mostly just people looking for a better life…but they are flaunting the law by living in our country illegally. The solution, Cookie adds, is that those who hire illegals be hauled into court and fined a few bazillions for each illegal that they hire and additional bazillions if they're not providing legal pay and benefits. It wouldn't take long for businesses to change their hiring practices. Without jobs the illegal aliens would have an incentive to deport themselves and seek to return as legal immigrants! [Posted: May 1, 2006] April 2006 Moose Milk -
One time when I was up in Anchorage, I was courtin' an
ulcer and an Alaskan friend introduced me to "Moose
Milk." It was a drink made of cream for my ulcer, Scotch
for my spirits, and Creme de Menthe for a nice touch. Now
that ain't a cure for ulcers but it shore did sorta take
my mind off my troubles for the evenin'.
[Posted: April 24, 2006] Why Free Readings? -
In traveling around reading my western and cowboy poetry
for folks, I'm frequently asked why I never charge
anything except for out-of-pocket expenses.It ain't that I'm rich, it's just that both sides of my family joined the western migration and experienced the hardships and the rewards of life on the prairie. That westward movement by my family and thousands of others is a great part of who we are today. So, to answer that question, my real pay is to share with others and, in that, help us to remember, preserve, and celebrate our western and cowboy heritage. [Posted: April 23, 2006] Where'd It All Go? -
Cookie says something strange happened on the way to today! Remember the old days when we:
[Posted: April 20, 2006] Don't Target Illegals -
Cookie says the politicians are aiming at the wrong crowd in the immigration debate. The illegals themselves are just hungry folks trying to exist in a foreign land and there ain't no way to successfully target, find, and deport more than 12-million folks.So, Cookie says, the target needs to be the employers of illegals. Any immigration law should definitely require employers to verify the legal status of every person they hire and provide substantial monetary penalties for the employment of any illegal, no exceptions! Given that, Cookie is certain that the illegal residents would melt away faster than hailstones on a hot summer day in Texas! [Posted: April 17, 2006] K Street Corral -
I reckon being a politician today is sorta like walkin' through the corral...seems like you can't do either without getting some muck on your boots. That K Street manure is pretty sticky stuff and it appears that lots of folks in Congress'd rather shuffle around in it than to shovel it out. I guess, come next election, we'll have to find out if Congressional candidates are shufflers or shovelers.
[Posted: April 16, 2006] Being An American -
With all the furor about immigration, it seems appropriate to consider what it is to be an American. I reckon Teddy Roosevelt got it right...In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people. - Theodore Roosevelt 1907 [Posted: April 15, 2006] Poets & Writers -
We just got word that I've been listed as a "Spoken Word Artist" in the Directory of Writers maintained by Poets & Writers Magazine. It's a very select directory and it's an honor to be included! To see the listing, please Click Here.
[Posted: April 13, 2006] [Revised: April 16, 2006] Downstream -
It don't take a feller very long to learn not to drink downstream from the herd.
[Posted: April 12, 2006] Feelin' Important -
One day when I was feelin' real important, the boss told me to stick my hand in the waterin' trough and look at the hole that's left in the water when I pulled my hand out! It's sorta humblin' to see how fast nature fills that hole up again.
[Posted: April 4, 2006] Eight Seconds -
Eternity is probably the only measure of time that's longer than eight seconds! I first learned the truth of that when I was twelve years old and won a calf-ridin' contest at the Brown County Nebraska Fair and Rodeo in 1940.
[Posted: April 3, 2006] March 2006 Leadership -
Bein' a good leader is gettin' the right folks to do the right thing in the right way for the right reason at the right time with the right use of resources.Havin' said that, it's also worth sayin' that a manager goes by the book...a leader writes the book. [Posted: March 30, 2006] Boot Etiquette - and cowboys are weighin' in whether, when they're wearin' boots, if the pants go out or in. [Posted: March 28, 2006] What is Cowboy Poetry? -
Those who respect the cowboy tradition might simply and correctly say that cowboy poetry is "rhymed, metered verse on western and cowboy themes by those who are very familiar with our western and cowboy heritage." The poems, those which have survived over time, reflect that guideline...seeming to be, generally, in the tradition of Badger Clark, the most noted classic cowboy poet. 'Course, I'll admit a bit of bias as I became acquainted with Badger Clark in the early 1940's and came to appreciate both the man and his poetry.There are mavericks, of course, who want to use free form verse...and some who even arrange words in a pattern on a page, like a splatterin' of cowpies in the corral, and call it poetry. While some of it might be worthwhile and of passing interest, it ain't cowboy poetry! Some members of the Columbia River Cowboy Heritage Society really bristle up at some of the "poetry" being taught in our schools...taught in classes that sorta follow a renegade definition of poetry that says, "if you say it's poetry, it is!" One of our members got enough put out that he attends the third grade class in a local school for a time each year and helps youngsters understand and write real poetry, poetry that has rhyme and meter. You can see some great examples of the third graders' work on our society web site. With that kind of experience as a basis, these young folks are shore going to be in a better position to appreciate cowboy poetry as well as the works of Shakespeare, Longfellow, Whittier, Penn, and other poets of merit. Just a kinda footnote...those familiar with my work might point out that my first two books contain only free form poetry! That's right, but I don't claim they're cowboy poetry...however, the poems in my second two books, as well as those posted on this website, are all in the western and cowboy tradition. [Posted: March 27, 2006] Intelligent Design -
Cookie says, he ain't qualified to determine if intelligent design exists, but if it does, how can we explain the mentality of some politicians? He doubts that an intelligent designer would've created such a defective mentality as some of them fellers seem to have! Hopefully, he says, evolution is alive and well...it's the only hope them guys have...maybe their intellect will evolve into somethin' worthwhile. [Posted: March 26, 2006] Poet Lariat -
A feller the other day called me the Poet Lariat of Washington since I've been doin' cowboy poetry throughout Washington as well as other locations, primarily in the Northwest."Poet Lariat," now that's got a nice ring to it! Bein' western and all it don't encroach on the academic and political designation of "Poet Laureate." I reckon my friend thought he'd invented somethin' new. However, Mark Twain, Badger Clark, Will Rogers, and a number of other folks used "Poet Lariat" in years long past. Still, it was a nice thought and I'll just hang on to the label, Poet Lariat of Washington, for a spell and see how it goes. [Posted: March 25, 2006] [Revised: March 26, 2006] Evolution -
Out on the ranch, Cookie says it seems sorta strange; them that say evolution ain't valid still rush to get their flu shots just like the rest of us 'cause the flu bug is evolvin' from year to year into ever more virulent strains. And folks are also scared of the bird flu 'cause it's evolvin' into a form that humans can get. I reckon that's human nature...rail against it publicly but CYA.Out on the ranch, we're sorta fearful that some kinda horse flu will be the next thing to evolve! [Posted: March 24, 2006] February 2006 Good Life -
You'll know that you've lived a good life if you can think back on it and really enjoy it all over again without kickin' yourself too hard for your mistakes and transgressions.
[Posted: February 23, 2006] Mistakes -
Over time, there's a few things a feller learns. Three that sorta make sense to me are:
Lonely Lives -
One of my poems, Lonely Lives, has been set to music by Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue and was presented for the first time in concert last night at the Upstage Theatre/Restaurant in Port Townsend, Washington. The duo indicates that it will be played during their performance at the Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering in Ellensburg, Washington on February 24-26.
[Posted: February 5, 2006] January 2006 Understanding "Illegal" -
Old Sam wonders what it is about "illegal" that some folks just don't seem to understand? He sees politicians acceptin' bribes, bureaucrats invadin' our privacy with wiretaps, and over 10-million undocumented aliens runnin' around the country. The fellers down in the bunkhouse ain't got a problem with proper campaign contributions, wiretaps under court warrants, and folks who are here as legal immigrants or on visas and work permits. But, they say, ignorin' legalities is sorta like tearin' the fence down around the chicken coop...the coyotes'll eat them chickens and we shore won't have eggs for breakfast no more. [Posted: January 8, 2006] Cookie Jar Politics -
Cookie reckons, after listenin' to the morning news, that some greedy folks just can't keep their hands out of the cookie jar in spite of what their moms surely taught them. Even politicians, them folks who set the rules and administer the law for others, are getting caught with their hands in the jar or cookies in their pockets.Cookie says trying to put them cookies back, or give them to someone else after gettin' caught, just don't mitigate the transgression or undo the wrong...the deed can't be undone! It's sorta like trying to stuff a limp noodle under the barn door! [Posted: January 7, 2006] Aphrodisiac -
Old Sam says he's learned why some folks are so anxious to get into politics and build up political capital...Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac. - Henry Kissinger [Posted: January 6, 2006]  Character -
Now and then a feller you trust sure does let you down. Just give him some authority and he seems to get to feeling more and more important, even to losing sight of right and wrong. I reckon with some folks, power just goes right to their heads.Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. - Abraham Lincoln [Posted: January 5, 2006] Wiretapping -
The Little Greenhorn was over in the tack shed this morning sort'a pounding on a strip of barb wire! He found out them barbs is mighty sharp and wiretapping is a hazardous activity. I reckon he should'a got his ma's permission and wore gloves like she'd told him to.
[Posted: January 4, 2006] Power Can Corrupt -
The past is prologue...Old Sam says, "There's lessons to be learned from history! Puttin' too much power in a feller's hands might just push him over the edge."Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. - Lord Acton [Posted: January 3, 2006] |
Current
Index Antique Boots Aphrodisiac Being An American Body Count Book Reviews in UK Boot Etiquette Character Come Ridin' with Me Cookie Jar Politics Cowboy Diplomacy Day With Immigrants Diplomacy Don't Target Illegals Downstream Eight Seconds Evolution Feelin' Important Forbes Book Club Goin' to Hell Good Life Intelligent Design K Street Corral Law Day (May 1) Leadership Leaping to Conflict Legends of Country Lonely Lives Maynard Ferguson Mistakes Moose Milk Negotiating Strategies Pearl Harbor Day + 65 Philosophies of life Poet Lariat Poets & Writers Power Can Corrupt Preemptive Strikes Truth Understanding "Illegal" Washington Poets Association What is Cowboy Poetry? Where'd It All Go? Why Free Readings? Wiggle Room Wiretapping Archives Current Blog December 2005 June-November 2005 Original Journal |
Copyright ©2006 by Clark Crouch.