EIGHT-SECOND RIDE

(Inspired by the summer I rode bulls in the rodeo)

Standing by the rodeo bleachers a cowboy named Stan

Watches the penned bulls with his bull rope in his hand.

The cowboy is trying to get his nerves to subside,

Because his turn is next for his eight-second ride.

The cowboy freezes and stares in awe

As he hears the announcement of his luck of the draw.

The cowboy’s fear flows like the tide.

He just tilts his hat and plans his eight-second ride.

The bull he has drawn is mean and wild.

This cowboy has to ride a bull named Flower Child.

The cowboy stares at the majestic creature in the shoot.

He knows if he can stay on this monster, he will win all the loot.

The cowboy moves toward his nemesis with a long fast stride.

He climbs on the gate and readies himself for his eight- second ride.

Flower Child is also ready and dances side to side with pride;

Ready to make this seem like the longest ever of his eight- second rides.

The cowboy slowly mounts Flower Child from the side, Wraps the rope around his hand and raises the other to signal ready for his eight-second ride.

There aren’t many rules that the cowboy must abide,

But he must keep his free hand up and high for his eight- second ride.

ONE: The bull jumps from the shoot all four legs off the ground.

Before his legs touch down, Flower Child has spun completely around.

TWO: Airborne again Flower Child turns to the left and jumps to the right.

After a complete spin, his hind legs hit the ground with a jolting might.

THREE: Jumping up, the bull comes down like a charge of TNT causing the cowboy to slide.

Trying to keep his balance and not end his ride, the cowboy shifts from side to side.

FOUR: Flower Child spins in a circle, like a dog chasing its tail.

As he turns, his hind legs kick up trying to make the cowboy bail.

FIVE: Flower Child, as if set to music, dances to and fro.

Jumping up and down he tries to give the cowboy a throw.

SIX: Moving left then spinning right the bull becomes airborne.

The cowboy is thrown forward, very close to the horns.

SEVEN: Flower Child begins to spin, spin, spin.

The cowboy’s hat flies off in the wind.

EIGHT: The sound of the whistle hits his ear

And now there is a new fear.

 The cowboy sits on top of this beast all alone.

There is no escape, there is no help, he must get off this monster on his own.

With the bull flying high, the cowboy throws his leg to the side.

In a cloud of dust, he hits the dirt hard ending his eight- second ride.

The bull snorts and saliva flies as he charges the cowboy that’s down,

But is intercepted by a wild and crazy colorful clown.

Running, the cowboy grabs his hat and into the fence he collides.

Over the fence to the other side, he dusts himself off and gets ready for his next eight-second ride.

STANLEY HENDRIX

05/2008

My book of poems "DEEP DARK SECRETS" is available online at AMAZON.COM, KINDLE, and CREATESPACE.COM