I wrote this in 2008 for an “Art and Heritage of Livestock” class my senior year at A&M. I’m a big fan of cowboy poetry and villanelles, and this is my attempt to combine the two.

I swing a wide reata,
Ropin’ steers from my bay;
Down South on the Norias.

“Ándale, you cows—arriba!”
As we drive the herd of strays;
I swing a wide reata.

We’ll start at Matagorda
And earn our cowboy pay;
Down South on the Norias.

Drive ’em North into Montana,
On the Western Trail we’ll stay;
I swing a wide reata.

Ridin’ dregs with the remuda,
Dreamin’ of her on the way;
Down South on the Norias.

I hope she waits while I’m gone;
I’ll miss her each cold day;
But I swing a wide reata,
Down South on the Norias.