“Some people are so poor all they have is money.”
Author unknown
Folks in my part of ranch county are feeling richer than usual, what with higher cattle prices and an abundance of grass. On the other hand, production costs are skyrocketing, property taxes that are based on the willingness of outsiders to pay prices per acre that won’t begin to pencil for ordinary ranchers, and shadows of corporate greed, make it pretty easy to worry about money. The above quote, sent to me by a friend, put me in mind of a poem from my book, Ground Tied.
Po’ Folks
On the sidewalk in front of the courthouse
I chewed the fat for an hour with ol’ John
‘Bout property taxes an’ politicians
‘An what it costs us these days to hang on.
Then I took my Tonys to the boot shop
‘Cause retreads are all I can afford.
Drove across town to the lumber yard.
The round pen needs a new board.
My neighbor’s got meadow ground up for sale
But the banker didn’t fancy my plan.
Say! Them new baler belts are right spendy!
Ain’t sure how much more good news I can stand.
At the sale barn I collected day money
On some calves I didn’t stay to watch sell.
With the market headed down to the cellar
It’s not a story I’m anxious to tell.
But, that well over south wants pullin’
An’ the red bull has took off to roam.
With a shop full of sickles to sharpen
I’m pointin’ this rusty ol’ pickup for home.
‘Pears that the fall range is holdin’ up fine
Considerin’ all the rains we ain’t had.
That cottonwood there by the bunkhouse
Always puts me in mind of my dad.
He planted it when he came to the ranch.
It’s weathered some storms through the years.
Seems both of us got roots deep in this ground.
Ain’t it strange how that quiets your fears?
Now shadows lie long in the valley
An’ the sun’s fixin’ to climb into bed.
Swingin’ up easy into my leather chair
I slap the reins and give Banjo his head.
Brother coyote sings a song to the moon
An’ there’s no perfume like that fresh cut hay.
You know, Butch, I can’t help but wonder
Just what the po’ folks been doin’ today.
With thanks to Butch Martin for reminding me