PICKING UP THE PEN

[hicountryrider]

I'll tell you the story of Billy Ruth from out Toolamba way
working stock and fixing fences is how he fills his day
Got some pretty handy horses but been bucked off one or ten
but something not many people know, he's handy with a pen

He's picked up the pen for Yankees visiting from the states
and also a few times over the years he's picked it up for mates
He's picked up the pen for passion for the Mountain Cattlemans fight
and picked it up for a horseman who had a fall and lost his sight

He's picked up the pen for Australia, when Anzac day come around
and picked it up for the rank bull that trod him into the ground
He picked up the pen for Little Jake who was dealt a nasty hand
and picked it up for the battler that opened up this land

He's picked up the pen for horses he's ridden through the year's
and picked it for the hard times that he's been reduced to tears
He picked it up for the mongrel bay that threw him saddle and all
and picked it up for the good people he's seen crumble and fall

He's passionate about Australia and has that Aussie pride
and has written about the day the old time drover died
And he hopes he can continue telling tales to women and men
and as long as they will listen he'll keep picking up the pen

Copywrite Billy Ruth

[Maureen K Clifford]

Good to see you here Billy and a beaut poem, I enjoyed the read. Bush poets are pretty renowned for being able to write on most subjects - makes us a verrsatile mob. Just a tip - you might want to get into the habit of adding your name and the copright symbol to your work. We suggest the best place is right under the title of your poem - it might stop you being mistaken for that A nony Mous bloke who seems to be the most popular poet in Australia at the moment .

[hicountryrider]

Ok Thanks Maureen I'll remember that

[hicountryrider]

and thanks Matt

[Heather]

Your secret's safe with us Billy! I think we all probably started out as secret poets at some stage but it's nice to share with mates.

Heather

[Catherine Lee]

Great original idea for a poem Billy, and really enjoyed it...power to your pen!