Charlene Schilling and husband Bob celebrate their Golden Anniversary April 2.  They have four children, ten grand children and one great grand son. Charlene is a retired vocational business teacher, but they've always connected with rural life in one way or another. Her poetry comes mostly from experiences.  I'm curently revising my book, Times and Places. She belongs to the Cowboy Poets of Idaho, the Palouse Country Cowboy Poets, and the Charlie Russell Western Heritage Association.  She has recited at a number of Gatherings and contributed to anthologies.  Email her to chat about poetry.

Sweet Nellie

It was haymaking time in the valley,
And I went home to put in my share.
It was there that I met my sweet Nellie
With her bright eyes and bonnie brown hair.

I was stacking bales in the meadow
When blue skies turned grey and o'er cast;
This sweet smiling lass came to help me
Before the summer storm came to blast.

We worked side by side in the meadow;
I was glad that Nellie had come.
As we talked of our dreams for the future,
I knew that Nellie was the one.

With the meadow again in full clover,
We vowed to each other true love
And on the summer day we married,
Life seemed like heaven above.

Then the war came; I was drafted
And sent far away from our home.
Nellie was my true hero,
For she ran our small spread all alone.

Finally peace, but for me, no victory.
I came home feeling less than a man.
My left hand shot from my body,
I could not understand God's plan.

But Nellie was right there to help me
Through all the struggle nd strife
Of putting our life back together--
Sweet Nellie--my strong loving wife.

The following year in mid-summer,
Just after the haying was done,
We again felt true happiness,
And I held our first baby son.

Then the post-war recession hit us--
We nearly lost our spread--
But Nellie went to work in town
So the cattle we held could be fed.

The years went by, and we prospered.
We raised a family of eight,
With Nellie always our model
Of the wonder of love, the futility of hate.

Often we walked in the meadow
Where we met on that day long ago,
Still sharing our dreams for the future,
Content in life's sunset glow.

Then one morning Nellie lay sleeping
Long past early sunrise,
And by the next following sunset,
I'd lost my sweet darling bride.

Now I walk alone in the meadow,
Approaching my seventieth year;
My hopes and dreams are still with me,
But I face the last days with no fear.

For when it's haymaking time up in heaven,
And I go home to put in my share,
My sweet smiling lass will greet me,
And we'll make a home for eternity there.

Copyright © 1999 Charlene Schilling.  All rights reserved.

I never sat a horse
Till I was 52
Then one day hubby said,
"Look hon, look what I done
Bought for you."

He went to coaxin'
Said she'd be my pard,
So I finally took a look
At what was standin'
Out there in the yard.

"She don't need no bit," he said,
"She's gentle as can be.
When you want fer her to go,
Just lean way forward
N' nudge her with yer knee."

We went to the tack shed
Where he explained to me
All the gear that I would need
To saddle all by myself
And ride on out there, roamin' free!

We got all gussied up, and
He told me how to mount,
And all about that postin' thing
So I could ride real smooth,
And my buttocks wouldn't bounce.

Well, I stepped up with my left,
I swung my right high and wide;
But I missed the other stirrup
And landed in the horse-do
A sittin' on my pride.

"Now, hon," my hubby said,
It's rule number one--
If you get throwed--I mean fall
Off a horse, it's real important
To get up and get right back on."

This time I jumped up quick
And grabbed the pommel tight;
That there mare lit out a that there yard
Hell-bent for leather;
Lord, she gave me a fright!

We was movin' fast!
I tried Gee, Haw, and Whoa!
She perked up her ears,
But the message that she sent
Was, you want Win, Place, or Show?

We raced up Chimney Creek;
I dodged each branch and limb,
And I begun to wonder
About this special gift
I had got from him.

A quarter mile up the creek
She crossed a magic line,
Slowed right down to a trot
Tossed her head, and raised her tail;
She was feelin' fine!

Well, hubby met us down the trail,
Hang-dog sheepish look upon his face,
"Ah, I'm sorry Hon," Hubby said,
I plumb forgot to mention
This here mare used to race.

Now when bills and dishes pile too high,
And life just seems adrift,
I leave the mop and talk shows--
She'll be waitin at the tack shed,
I go saddle "Hubby's Gift."

Copyright © 1999 Charlene Schilling.  All right reserved.

I'm just a lonesome cowboy;
I ride the range all day.
I'm goin' home to Mother
When I collect my pay.

Dear Mother will be waitin'
Beside the garden gate.
Lord, let Nell be with her;
She promised she would wait.

I'm just a lonesome cowboy;
I hear the coyotes' call.
I'm goin' home to Mother
For sure, this very fall.

I know she will be waitin'
There where roses bloomed.
Lord, let Nell be with her;
I smell her sweet perfume.

I'm just a lonesome cowboy;
I ride the sweet spring sage.
I'm goin' home to Mother
When I afford the stage.

My mother will be waitin"
With biscuits golden brown.
Lord, I got her letter;
My Nell has gone to town.

I'm just a lonesome cowboy,
My job's collectin' strays;
I'm goin' home to mother,
To comfort her last days.

I know she will be waitin'
Mid fall flower blooms.
No, Nell will not be with her,
She's in some dark saloon.

I'm just a lonesome cowboy
And when the brandin's done,
I'm goin' home to Mother;
I left when I was young.

Now Mother will be waitin'
At Heaven's Golden Gate.
No, Nell will not be with us;
My sweetheart could not wait.

I'm just a lonesome cowboy,
And now I'm growin' old.
I'm goin' home to Mother;
Lord take me in the fold.

Copyright © 1999 Charlene Schilling.  All rights reserved.