On Sunday, we lost a good friend, Bill Sweigert to his battle with lung cancer. Bill was a campmate of mine on the Sonoma County Trailblazer treks, as well as being a great friend to the Martin clan. I had the pleasure of visiting with Bill in October, when he presented me with a pair of his spurs. I treasured the conversations we had around the campfire and breakfasts in March at the Two-Niner Diner, the morning after the SCTB Hog Feed. I am a truly better person for knowing Bill, and I will miss him.
Read more about Bill’s Life HERE
Bill was also a great fan of cowboy poetry, and I wanted to share one of his poems he wrote and gave me a copy of, referring to the Cowpoke Fall gathering in Loomis, California.
“It’s Cowboy Poetry Time”
by Bill Sweigert May 2007Where the Hell did the year go?
Cowboy Poetry Time is here.
I ain’t even washed my Wranglers
The ones I wore last year.I better practice recitin’
I’m kinda rusty, ya know.
I don’t want to stumble or mumble,
Or let my bloopers ruin the showThe verses should flow like a river,
Smoothly steady and strong
So the audience begins to resemble
A smilin’ buckaroo throng.Why do I keep on recitin’?
This is my 20th Year.
It’s just cuz it’s so darn excitin’
And at my age it’s great to be here.It’s a thrill to be center stage,
Especially when you’re on a roll
You feel lots less than your age,
Cuz cowboy poetry’s good for the soul.
