Cowboy Poetry: "The Day I Broke El Diablo"

Adults enjoy cowboy poetry for the dialect, visual imagery, and story. Kids, on the other hand, love the fun and adventure that takes place in the poem ... all of which makes cowboy poetry a great read for all ages.

The Day I Broke El Diablo

I used to be a cowgirl, once,
Back in my younger days
And when I broke Diablo
It brought accolade and praise.

I climbed up on that critter,
While he stomped and pawed the dirt.
I pulled my hat a way down low
And tuckered in my shirt.

I gave a little, bitty poke
With spurs, upon his side
And he bucked so mighty, awful hard
I thought I'd almost died.

He crow hopped this-a-way and that,
And fifteen feet of air
Showed between my lucky saddle
And my little derriere.

I knew I needed somethin' good
That wasn't too overt,
That would keep me in the pocket
So I wouldn't hit the dirt.

Well, I slid down off that bronco,
Took a wad out of my pack
Stuck it tight on to the saddle,
Then I climbed up on his back.

I said, "You crazy, buckin' bronc,
I'm gonna win, you'll see,
'Cause that's a piece of bubblegum
That's sticking me to thee."

Well, ol' Diablo gave a look,
A grin that seemed most evil,
And started tossin' me around;
My guts went in upheaval.

He snorted snot and it was gross,
But I just plain ignored him,
Until a big ol' grizzly bear
Strolled up right there before him.

That horse, he didn't like it much
And I can't say I blamed him,
'Cause grizzlies usually aren't too nice
Unless someone has tamed 'em.

Diablo tore off faster than
I ever thought he could'a
And I hung on much tighter
Than I ever thought I would'a.

He headed straight into the trees,
With me a hollerin', "Whoa, Dear!"
And "Gee" and "Haw" and other words,
I prob'ly shouldn't show here.

Diablo, he just pitched a fit
Then jumped up toward the sun,
If I had known much better
I might not have thought it fun.

But I was just a cowgirl then,
Back in my younger days
And when Mama called for supper,
My respect I had to pay.

I parked that ol' Diablo
In a corner of the stable
And went in for the meal,
Glad for vittles on the table.

And to this day there's never been
A bronco that's more wild,
Than the stick one that I rode upon
When I was just a child.


More cowboy-themed poems and stories by this Associated Content contributor:
A Haiku Poem: "The County Fair"
Christmas Story About an Old Cowboy Who Believes in Santa Claus, "Up on the Rooftop"
And more....