Here in north Texas, we have an abundance of wildlife. Our neighborhood teems with all manner of native critters. We even see bobcats a couple of times a year, along with coyotes, rabbits (we counted 19 on one of our morning walks), squirrels, racoons, and birds of every description.
I wrote the following poem as a tribute to the native coyotes, longhorn steers and, of course, our cowboys, who maintain order on the wild and wooly plains. Read the poem slowly, out loud. I had particular fun with the way the words roll and rhyme. I hope you like it.
The Vast Texas Plains
On the vast Texas plains the coyote reigns
And the longhorns bellow and bawl.
As the wind's wild refrains howl a hymn 'cross the plains,
On the vast Texas plains the coyote reigns,
And the cowboy maintains with his brawn and his brains
A semblance of order for all.
On the vast Texas plains the coyote reigns,
And the longhorns bellow and bawl.
(C) 2006 Clint Ellison
