And As I Rode Out on the Morning

by Buck Ramsey

Written by a former working cowboy, this poem is the story of young Billy Deaver, a farmer’s son, who breaks free from the prairie sod that holds him and goes in search of the cowpuncher’s life. Hooking up with a kindly rancher, Billy hires on to learn the cowboy way. His life takes an unexpected turn when the rancher sells his lands and moves to town, forcing Billy to seek new employment. A longtime favorite of cowboy poetry gatherings, Buck Ramsey also is a singer and songwriter.

Genres: Poetry

64 pages, Audio CD

First published January 15, 1993

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the recommendation of a library patron who also wrote the foreword. Beautiful prose, lots to mine here about the American west, masculinity, innocence, and guilt. I actually ended up reading this aloud to myself, because I couldn't find an audio version and it was more natural to take it in that way. "Anthem" - the prelude - is on Youtube and sets the tone for the book well.