Grandpas have a special job and have since days of yore To teach his children’s children things his parents might ignore. Like how to spit and whistle, carve initials on a tree The value of an empty can and why some things aren’t free. Why dogs get stuck, how birds can fly, why Grandma’s always right And how to tie a square knot and the time to stand and fight. And, if Grandpa’s a cowboy and the kid is so inclined The horn of wisdom empties out to fill his little mind. He has the kid upon a horse as soon as Mom allows And fills him full of stories ’bout the old days punchin’ cows And how when he was “just your age” he rode the rough string snides And never hesitated, see, that’s how he learned how to ride. So when the horse the kid was ridin’ tossed him to the ground The Grandpa said, “Now get back on, don’t let him keep you down.” The boy balked but Grandpa knew the lesson to be learned “One of us must ride this horse,” he said, his voice stern. Then wisdom passed from old to young, “Yer right,” the kid said true, “You want I let the stirrups out … just one hole or two?” Baxter Black is a self-described cowboy poet, ex-veterinarian and sorry team roper. He can be contacted at 1-800-654-2550 or by e-mail at: headcowboy@baxterblack.com