BRUCE KISKADDON'S
classic cowboy poetry is well known throughout the world.
He was born in 1878. He started his work life as a wrangler in Colorado.
Later, he worked as a cowboy in various Western states. He served
in the Army during World War I; and for a time, remained overseas,
working as a "jackaroo" in Australia. He returned
to the western United States; and in the
1920's, he went to Hollywood. Here he wrangled horses and played bit parts in the
movies. He came to the realization that it was more lucrative, and easier, to work as a bellhop in
the hotels. This he did for several years. In 1924, he published his first book
of poetry. For the rest of his life he wrote poetry,
publishing additional books in 1928, 1935, and 1947. He recreated in
poetry the life he knew and loved on the ranch and the range, using the
words that he heard spoken there.
The following poem appeared in The Los Angeles Union Stock Yards monthly
livestock letter. It will not be found in any of the Kiskaddon books |