A Willow Walkin’ Cane

‘Bout a year ago, Ol’ Cowpoke was visitin’ a friend who’d been trimmin’ some of his bushes an’ trees in his yard.

The Ol’ Feller had worked on some willows, cut off some limbs, seemed ta Ol’ Cowpoke, they’d make good livestock or walkin’ canes.

There was a couple of pieces that could be used.

Ol’ Cowpoke picked them up an’ throwed ‘em inta his pickup truck, thinkin’ he better peel the bark off ‘em while they was still green.

Within a few days, Ol’ Cowpoke cut them ta length an’ peeled the bark off, makin’ ‘em look quite sheen.

Once they was all done, left ‘em ta dry fer a few weeks.

As they dried, the lighter in weight they become.

Ol’ Cowpoke worked on ‘em, in his shop, made up three from bottom ta top, sanded, drilled a hole fer a wrist strap an’ readied ‘em fer spar varnish an’ shine.

Ended up makin’ one fer Grama ‘Mo’ ‘nother fer his second oldest grandson, Dayton an’ one fer himself.

Stamped the wrist band end with his brand so ya can tell who made ‘em first hand.

A feller or gal can use it fer walkin’ or such. Even sortin’ livestock in corrals or pens, helpin’ ta keep the livestock at bay, ya might say.

Now after sometime, them sticks are light as a feather but tough as leather.

The willow canes are a great aid fer walkin’ an such in adverse weather like mud, snow an’ ice that jus’ ain’t that nice.

A feller or gal gets a little ‘fraid of slippin’, fallin’ an’ end up bawlin’ as they goes spawlin.

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Category: Columns, Cowboy Poetry