Featured Poem:

Lookin' for Work in Oz

   For Ms. S and her Students

I found myself down under lookin’ for honest work

In the Northern Territory, an’ since I’ve never been one to shirk

Or avoid any good, hard labor, I walked across a rancher’s spread,

Met him, offered my services, and listened as he said:

“You say you are a cowboy?  I’m not sure what that means,

It could be, to quote you Americans, ‘that ain’t worth a hill of beans.’

Can you even speak our language?  Understand the things we say?

I could use some help, but I ‘m afraid you’d just be in the way.”

I looked at him a moment, knowin’ he wasn’t right,

Decidin’ whether to prove him wrong with words or with a fight,

I opted for the former;  thought I’d teach him a good lesson,

Looked in his eyes and said straight out, “My friend, here’s what I’m guessin’:

You’re worried I can’t communicate with the rest of the hired hands,

Let me tell you what I know, and you figure where that stands.”

He looked me squarely in the eye and slowly nodded his head;

I met his gaze, mine straight and cold, and this is what I said:

“A cattle drive’s a muster,

A ranch is called a station,

A cowboy like me don’t fluster

And don’t show no hesitation.

A cowboy like me’s a ringer true,

When there’s cattle work needs done,

If you’re lookin’ for a wannabe jackaroo,

Well, I guess I ain’t the one.

When I work cattle I ride a horse

‘cept when groundwork is a must,

I’ll pin a bull with pure brute force

And eat my share of dust.

I leave sheilas for the scarce holiday,

Don’t mind workin’ with jillaroos,

Don’t need no more than meager pay,

I steer clear of the booze,

Though I’ve been known to shout a round

If we’ve lived through a brush with fate,

But it’s coffee in a billy on the ground

That I drink both early and late.

I like livin’ in the woop woop,

And I don’t mind bush bashin’

I’m a loner, I don’t need no troop,

A few good friends are my ration.

I’m a solid American cowhand

Who lives by the Code of The West,

If you want a man who rides for the brand

Then put me to the test.”

The station manager looked at me, I thought that he would waffle

As he turned away, then muttered “Your Aussie’s really awful”;

He shook his head, looked at the ground, leaned upon the gate,

Then said “I need a cowboy here; job’s yours, goodonya mate.”