Cowboy Poetry – Mountain Folk
While photographing and exploring the Colorado Mountains as a professional western adventure writer and photographer you come to realize that the folks that live in the remote high country are sort of – let’s say different. They normally are folks for reasons of their own really don’t like people so they chose to distance themselves from folks like you and me. They will tolerate us for a short spell, but they really would rather be by themselves. They are and always will be the “Mountain Folk.”
Mountain Folk
You will learn in the mountains of Colorado – the folks are a different breed,
Some are city rejects, some were mountain natural born – all from a peculiar seed.
It is not the resorts or the big cities that the “mountain folk” live and reside,
But, the near ghost towns like Como, Russell Gulch, and Alma – live the certified.
Sort of comes naturally to make fun of those that live near the timberline high,
Been my experience – the thinner air makes their brain pans go slightly awry.
Mountain folk usually are as nervous as a cat in a room full of rockers,
When lost – and ask directions – you will find they are not a lot of talkers.
Finding a helpful mountain folk – is almost guaranteed it will be a long shot.
If you do get a talker, they mumble, “Don’t go gettin’ your knickers in a knot.”
Sure enough, they will point you down the road as they give you a lot of crap,
Spitting – then mutter, “You couldn’t find your ass with both hands and a map”
In the high timber I have seen mountain folk that would make coffee nervous,
Just a few minutes with the mountain folk – sure enough will leave you wordless.
God forbid if you happen to run your Jeep or 4-wheeler into a mountain ditch,
Along comes a mountain folk in a rusty truck – grumbling, “Gaul darn sum bitch.”
If you cuss a mountain folk they will stomp a mud hole in your ass and walk it dry,
Mountain folk gets meaner, off- kilter, and crazier the closer you get to the sky.
I know what has floated across your braincase, “He’s nuttier than a squirrel turd.”
You will have to excuse me – the thin mountain air here has my thinker blurred.
Kurt James
Kurt James © 2017
Where to buy Kurt James novels and books:
https://www.amazon.com/Kurt-James/e/B01DTOJ7KC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
- Digging up Dreams - September 16, 2024
- As the Years Roll By - November 15, 2023
- Beat-Up Jeep - November 4, 2023
I do understand their penchant for privacy and a solitary life, those ‘Mountain Folk’. I guess some of us get comfortable with our own skin and are happy to be free enough to be alone. Nicely penned my friend.
Tony even though I make fun of the Mountain Folk in this tale – just like you I am much the same – thanks for stopping by my campfire.
Really enjoyed this. Made want to sit a spell with mountain folk and have some moonshine.
Thank you Rasma for stopping by my campfire and enjoying the tale and I saved you a tad bit of moonshine as well…
Great to read one of your poems again Kurt…a rather queer side of mountain folk, I guess..maybe they don’t like to socialize much and are rather interested in keeping themselves to themselves..a very enjoyable read and thank you so much for sharing..
Thanks for stopping by Anjana and glad you enjoyed reading my poem and tale.
Set in their ways, just like any of us. Outsiders unwelcome I guess. Definitely humorous to say the least Kurt. Nice work.
Thank you Paul – glad you liked it…
LOVED IT!! I can relate to this in so many ways. Many of my kin are mountain folk, in one way or another. One thing I have learned from them is that they have some entertaining stories to tell that make it darn near impossible to make up.
When I was younger, I remember meeting Baxter Black in Buffalo Wyoming and thinking, “Wow! I would love to make up poetry like him.” That man has some talent. Reading your poem reminded me of that moment. Thanks, I laughed and loved it.
You know you just made my day Tammy – I love Baxter Black, but have never meet him. For you to think of me in the same context of Baxter is very humbling. Thank you for that and glad you could relate to this piece.
Awesome poem, Kurt! And everything you said rings true for us mountain folk! You truly are very gifted.
Ronda you of all people know what I wrote is true – hahaha … thanks for stopping by mountain girl…