Old Paint Poem by Kim Barney

Old Paint was one of the gentlest broncs
I've seen in all my born days.
He never would kick and never would buck,
Those were just not his ways

From the crowded herd with ease
He could cut any cow.
The way he knew which one to cut,
I couldn't figure how.

He seemed to read my mind, for sure,
And really won my love.
We really fit, the two of us,
Like a hand fits in a glove.

One day I rode to Hunter's Flat
In my pursuit of deer.
We passed a truckload of galoots
Intent on drinking beer.

'Have you seen any deer? ' I ask of them,
But only in my mind.
I decide to get right out of there
And leave them far behind.

For drinking men do not think straight
And danger does abound,
And when they've guns it's that much worse;
I'd best not hang around.

I've almost reached top of the ridge,
When I get a big shock.
Something slams me in the back;
I fall upon a rock.

For many hours I lie quite still;
I thought that I was dead.
I wake and I can hardly move,
A pounding in my head.

Old Paint is there; he licks my face
Just like a faithful dog.
My arm is twisted, my elbow
Stuck in a rotten log.

My back is sore; I have no strength,
Nor power to arise,
Then Paint bites on my woolen coat,
Much to my surprise!

He lifts me off the ground with ease
And leans me on a tree.
The night is black; there is no moon
And I can barely see.

Somehow I manage to climb on,
As clumsy as a child.
My rifle and my knife are gone,
My fever raging wild.

They've stolen my canteen as well,
And I've an awful thirst.
I've got to make it back to town
If I don't pass out first.

Davis Hollow is soon in sight,
Then we're on Bell Rock Ridge.
The moon now gives a little light;
And now we're at the bridge.

Then comes the snow; no longer can
I see a single thing.
But what relief from thirst I find
The open mouth does bring!

I fall asleep; I don't know how
I managed to hang on.
Next thing I know, I'm falling off
And landing on some lawn.

The door is wide, and there's my bride!
I want no more to roam,
But give some praise to that great horse;
Old Paint has brought me home!