Ridin' In A Rainbow Poem by Charles Sammons

The open range isn't much different
than the big sky
both got critters
some grazin'
others wingin'

you can smell the sod
taste the deep sky
...but when it rains
it's life in full circle

squalls race across the prairie
shadowing forests of grass

when it clears
you smell the clean ozone

a rainbow appears
all decked out in fine
prom colors
a smilin' arch bridging
from here to forever

I wonder what it would be like
to strap a saddle on a raindrop
and ride it all the way down

one hand on the reigns
the other wavin' for balance
with white hat in hand

buckin' and ridin'
'yippy-ky-yay'
smilin' and laughin'

the colors fast forward
into blinding white
drops slam on you
leaving you soaked and cold
spinning
up-side-down
everywhere the wind takes you

you're dizzy
you look over your shoulder
and see the rainbow dancing
Jesus...I just rode through that

the ground is comimg up fast
time to flash on your life
you and the other riderless mounts
hope it doesn't hurt too much

...but
it's a spring rain
much awaited for life
the crash is soft velvet
into a grass of forgiving arms
tickling you
you bounce straight back up a ways
and do one last victory roll
............................
I know this rodeo bull
his name is Fu Manchu
he's the meanest strongest
son-of-a-bitch that ever lived
he'd rather break your neck
than look at ya
he don't care about nothin'
8 seconds don't mean a thing
solid muscle and hell bent

all bull riders don't want this draw

the next time I see him
I'll tell him what a real ride is all about