Sam

Sam is a leathery, old cowboy we met at the cafe in Marlin. He told us lots of enjoyable stories of the way things used to be in Texas. There is a little bit of blur in the picture, because I should have increased my ISO setting, and didn't. I hate when I do stuff like that! Anyway, I thought I'd post one of my husband's poems here to go with Sam's picture:

 

Texas

 

Just what drives Texas, and what makes it go?

Some say it's music, others rodeo

Maybe it's the oil, else the oil-slick money

Barbeque or beer--anything funny

From the aw-shucks grin to the wildness gene

Texans are unique--you know what I mean?

Though the bloodlines vary. ev'ry shade of hide

One thing's in common. it is Lone Star pride

It's an inborn thing, but what is the source?

DNA testing gives no clue, of course

Maybe it's something found in the water

Or else inhaled at the Alma Mater?

Some suggest that it's refinery smog

Or the vapor off a big thicket bog

Perhaps dust blowing down from the High Palins

Or an Alamo aura that just never wanes?

What is the fuel for Friday night lights

Saturday dances, and the bar room fights?

What pushes NASA to the stars and back

Propels Texans to the front of the pack?

Whence Longhorn spirit and Aggie elan--

It's found in their blood, not part of a plan

Does mesquite pollen float on the sea breeze

Inspiring natives, making others sneeze?

Wildflowers blossom beside all the roads

With odors much sweeter than horny toads

But furnishing little to Texas zeal

Yet scoring quite high on tourist appeal

So back to square one, down to the skinny

It's not crystal meth nor mustang whinny

The truth of the matter, bare skin and bone

Texas is powered by testosterone!

 

Jake Von Canon (c) 2008

 

Done