Poet, portrait painter, and pencil drawer, Gail Guenther also sings, plays guitar, and rides horses.  Here you'll see a couple of her paintings and three of her poems.  Born in New Jersey, Gail started drawing horses from the moment she could hold a pencil, taking after her father who was a commercial artist.  She started taking riding lessons when she was eight.  She attended Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, and she ran her own advertising agency for twelve years until motherhood became more important.  Now she lives in Utah, where she owns two horses, rides with her younger son, and does advertising for horse-related businesses.  For sizes, prices and a catalog email Gail Wildrag@AOL.com. Please mention Lone Prairie Poetry Page so she'll know how you found out about it.
 

Cowboy Twang
dedicated to Fred Engel

Cowboy Twang, Cowboy Slang
Gentle hand, confident stand;
     One of a kind, keen of mind,
     Piercing eyes.. short goodbyes...
Lasting image, fleeting meetings...
Self-taught man, focused and kind.
     Cautious, committed..."Ask, don't demand"
     Giving... Living... Making his life close to the land.
Poetry in the saddle,  poetry in motion...
Poetry in his soul, poetry spoken.
     The life I sought.. the life he wrought.
     Casual, focused, physical, challenging..
     Rooted in Western History..

Copyright © 1994  DGGuenther. All rights reserved.

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Gray light washes into the room
Springtime birds singin' a summertime tune.
Leftover scenes from a distant dream...
Another chance to swim life's stream.
      Sky comin' blue as the clouds roll past.
      Fresh dew on the green mornin' grass.
      Heat too early for the day
      Makin love before the evenin's cool drifts away.
Shower and dress, quick review
of all the things we want to do.
Hop in the truck and rumble out the drive,
stop at Gina's for coffee and grits inside.
      And its down the highway on a new tank of gas
      watch the brilliant scenery flying past.
      Pick up Bud, Pepe and Lenny
      off to the rodeo, try to ride for the money.
Milling broncs & bulls look ornery
Heat of the day growing out of the morning.
Pay yer fee and get yer draw
Oh my God, Lenny pulled that Black Outlaw!
      Rather ride a bull than that rank bronc
      Named Satan's Black Soul and his mission is to tromp
      any cowboy who climbs atop this devil.
      Look in his eye and see his soul.
A soul to match his pitch black hide,
Lenny's likely goin' home without no ride
and without no money
If he's lucky he'll make it home to see his honey.
      Time creeps by, and Lenny's sweatin'
      Could get dumped... too scairt for bettin'
      on any other riders' score.
      He ain't on yet, and he's already feelin' sore.
Cowboy Up!...Lenny's next.  Palms a'sweatin'
Stomach churnin... jaws clenched tight, get in position.
Hoverin' over Satan, tightenin' his riggin'
Like a shotgun with a hair trigger...
      Time to go. Screw on that hat.
      Set down light... hand tight in the wrap.
      Satan casts an evil red eye
      toward Lenny.. poor cowboy!
As the gate swings open,
Lenny's shirt's already soakin'
Satan explodes up and out!
Lenny's legs a'spurin' his shoulders
      Spinnin' and twistin', Jumpin' and buckin'
      Trying to explode right out of his skin
      3 seconds, 4 seconds, and eternity of hell.
      5 seconds, 6 seconds, Lenny's there still!!!
Crowd is roarin'! This bronc ain't never been rode!
Spinnin' and rearin' and ready to explode
The horse fightin' harder and stronger...
Lenny's still there, 2 seconds longer
than any other!
      7 seconds! The 8 second blast!
      Lenny rode that bronc! Someone's done it at last!
      Pickup rider tearin' around at Satan's side
      The look in that devil's eye, Lenny shoulda' been fried!
Down at last, fall to the ground and kiss the dirt.
Twisted so hard, the bronc ripped his shirt!
The crowd on its feet, screamin' so loud
Lenny's on his knees thankin' God!
      Lenny got high saddlebronc score of the day
      That black Satan was never the same
      Drivin' home with pockets of cash
      Lenny treats us to dinner, barely dents his stash!
That was 15 years ago and they tell the store still
of the skinny cowboy, Lenny, who gave them all a thrill
that never will they forget.  And Lenny?
Well I believe he's ridin that bronc in his dreams yet.

Copyright © 1994 DGGuenther.  All right reserved.

1996 Montana Cutting Futurity winner, Docs Elevation.

All in the way she loves her man

His woman wakes before daybreak
stokes the fire, his breakfast to make.
Coffee brewin' on the stove
bisquits and bacon, her momentos of love.
  Dressed in jeans, hat and spurs,
  he barely stops as he moves past her.
  Gulps his coffee, bisquit and bacon
  "Extries" are packed up for the takin'.
Out the door he slips, quick peck on the cheek
Moustache brushes past her waitin' lips.
He's gone and out the door once more...
She had hoped for a little more.
  All in a day, all in the way
  She loves her man.
She watches from the window sill
His powerful stride, determined will.
Ner' a glance back does he make...
Jingle bobs singin' in his wake.
   Horses nickerin' and movin' around
   Grain and Hay 'em, warm up the truck they're going to town.
   Sun's creepin over the mountain peaks
   Peach colored rays painting the valley in streaks.
Loading up Tico, Blue and Lakota Moon,
Gonna have new homes soon.
Stepping into the trailer one after the other...
Tosses his tack into the truck, waves goodbye to "mother"
   All in a day, all in the way
   She loves her man.
Do the dishes, sweep the floor
started the bread risin' 'round 4
Feed the chickens and the pigs
Milk the cow, pick the weeds.
   Gather the beans, carrots and spuds
   Wash the clothes, hang 'em out.
   Bake the bread, make a pie
   Apple or blueberry? My oh My.
Kill a chicken pluck and clean 'em.
In the pot, slowly simmerin'.
Start the supper, vegetables and taters.
Milk the cow, she walks away slow, and lows.
  Bring water from the well, cool and fresh
  Slowly washers her face, changes to a dress of lace.
  Freshen the bed and set table, he'll be home soon.
  Waiting anxiously at the door, under the bright full moon.
She hears the old familiar rumble of his rig.
He pulls in the drive, her hearts starts to sing
After all these years, her love's still strong,
Built to last their whole life long.
   One horse left and turned out, he draws near her,
   Counting the cash they needed so dear.
   Finally home after a long, hard day...
   So happy to find a hearty dinner and her lovin arms awaitin'...
All in a day, All in the way
She loves her man.
Life don't get no better than this.

Copyright © 1996 DGGuenther.  All rights reserved.