Curt's blog: "my ramblings"

I heard Taps played the other day, got me to thinking of my uncle. He is one of the idols on my page. When down I tend to write, some how helps. These are for my Uncle Bill.




I grew up in the sandhills
Had to work for my keep
Along side my uncle
He was a hero to me

He had one leg
That was just a stump
Was funny to watch
Stumbling around when drunk

That old man could drink
And damm could he fight
Went to town on the weekend
Dad'd bail him out Sunday night

We'd ride the range
Fix fence and such
Brand and dehorn
Cut out calf’s nuts

Put up hay all summer
To feed them damm cows
Kill rattle snakes an coyotes
Ones we could anyhow

Calf'n time come around
We might be up all night
Pull'n the slippery lil bastards
Make'n sure they were alright

Taught me how to shoot
Throw fence staples like a knife
Taught me lots of things
Helped me get through this life

I grew sick of that ranch
First chance I moved away
Ain't never went back
That’s the way it'll stay

Went the funeral
When my uncle died
They played taps
And yes I cried

A vet, an alcoholic
A cowboy,  a drunk
A fighter, a squaw humper
A bottle hid in his bunk

I’ll never forget him
I loved that man
My uncle Bill………..
                              cdj

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Driving around Sunday morning
Looking for trouble to get in
See an old man on the sidewalk
Waiting for bar to open so he can go in

He was tall and lanky
Maybe a little to thin
Big hands scarred and misshapen
From the fights he’d been in

Had holes in his elbows
Patches on his jeans
Boots old and rundown
At least he looked clean

Smoking a home rolled
Whiskers on his chin
Must a had a hard night
Form the shape he was in

His teeth rough and ragged
The few that were there
When people walked by
Some would frown some would stare

As I came by I honked
I called out a dirty word
He turned around looked and saw me
Grinned and gave me the bird

To most he was just an old drunk
On his regular weekend spree
He was my uncle
A hero to me

If you see an old timer
Clean or with matted dirty hair
You don’t know what they been though
You sure weren’t there

Give them some love
Your respect they most likely earned
Be a smile or a few dollars
For the life that they’ve burned

Might spend it on food
But most likely wine
Be happy for them
They earned a good time..
                                  cdj