Dear Posse Pardners, It was suggested that I post the poem I wrote for Mr. Drurys 80th birthday, so here goes. I made him a special scrapbook of it, and another version for the cast members. THE BOSSMAN Way back in the West, in the state of Wyoming Cowhands worked the range beside cold rivers foaming To break wild horses, herd cattle, and ride Across the flat country and steep mountainside. What was missing? Well, someone to pull them together; They needed a real man, a friend in all weather To fight for the weak - like Robin Hood, Who would battle injustice whenever he could. To rise up each day, give the people his best - To bodily hold up the Code of the West. Dont take whats not yours, if not true, dont repeat it, Above all, if somethings not right, you just beat it! Then - a cowboy, a loner, a mysterious mister Rode up from the South, as written by Wister. Right off, they knew theyd be safe with HIM there, That whatever came, theyd be under his care. He was tough, he was tender, their foreman, the best: The man in the red shirt and black leather vest. He was willing to put up his own life for theirs Time after time, without putting on airs. It wasnt a comfortable life, be assured, In the bunkhouse: hard beds, little sleep, stern words. But camaraderie there would be like no other For the men who counted the next one as brother. Trampas and Steve, Belden and Randy All had his back, and all of them, dandy. They protected Judge Garth, Betsy, and the family Grainger - While Ryker and badge checked out each new stranger. My! The travelers who showed up in Medicine Bow! Davis, and Redford, and others we know - For each story, each drama, they kept our attention, Making memories for the future, too many to mention. The ladies, poor ladies, who gave in to his charms Seemed destined to suffer such TRAGIC alarms. They couldnt have known, with their feather and fuss The truth - that he really belongs to us (just kidding, Mrs. D). Steady Joe D., a champ of a horse Through desert, and mud, and wind, kept his course. The most faithful of friends, the all-trusted steed, A beauty to look at - a help when in need. Sometimes, we broke out in guffaws and hoots Like the time Steve was dancing in crazy new boots, Or when Belden, on horseback, was prettily striking A pose for a sketch, to a dude artists liking. Now, we know, in our world, that Jim, Doug, and Clu, Gary, Roberta, Randy, Don, Sarah, Diane and L.Q. Are people like you and me - or so they say, But theyve allowed US to live in the Old Wests heyday. Friends, far and wide, of the Shiloh dominion Can count on our Bossman, James Drury, THE VIRGINIAN! -Margaret Griffin, 2014
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 03:41:11 +0000