Poems Written by Fans About Echoes of the Trail

They told of trail drives and roundups,
   through ballads and verses of rhyme;
Of campfires, sunsets, and early dawns;
   it took me back in time.

It was the annual get-together
  of the Cowboy Poets Association.
People who keep the old West alive,
   with their "Echoes of the Trail" celebration.

One lady sang a song
   my mother used to sing
About an old maid and a burglar --
   I laughed when I heard that thing.

Now, I'm no spring chicken;
   I've seen Jim Shoulders ride.
I've watched bronc bustin', steer wrestlin', etc.
   while sitting at Daddy's side.

So to the Cowboy Poets Association
   let me say a big "thank you."
I'd never been to this event before.
   Come back next year. Please do.

by Gracie Cobler, 2001 Fort Scott, Kansas

Cowboy Poets at Old Fort Scott

Ruth, Ralph, Delores, and I
In each other had found a trust without a lie.
We shared our thoughts on poetry and song
Then decided to all just go along.
A trip no less to Old Fort Scott
To hear rhymed thoughts on guts, gas, and snot.
Wishing for a literary education
About the cowboys of our nation.

Ruth of some age but still spry,
Forgot her medicine to take so as not to die.
We were down I29 a fur ways
But Ruth has Ralph trained, so he obeys.
The road from St. Joe to Faucett we saw four times.
That's just a fact thrown in here to rhyme.
Dark clouds hung low and heavy with rain
Which was dumped for a hazard to hydroplane.

We reached the memory lane of cowboy fame
"Echoes of the Trail" was its chosen name.
I forgot my bad thoughts and pain
And laughed at humor sung, wrote, and told quite insane.
One after another with fifteen mintues to perform,
Humor and reflective thoughts were related out of norm.
For example a Volkswagen out of control on green and yellow snot,
Or a horse spooked by saddle reverberated gas outside the barn lot.

Harold, Leroy, D. J., Neal, and others too numerous to name
All had stories, songs, and poems of humor none the same.
But Gerry Allen with his "Ghost Rider Chickens In the Sky"
Made me crack up and laugh 'til I thought I'd die.
A Sunday morning service had all bowed with hat in hand.
We thanked God for the cowboys of our great land.

By Russel Derleth, Mokane, MO and Dolores Kline,St. Joseph, MO.

Poems by Ron Wilson, Poet Lariat, read at four different gatherings.

Thank you friends, for comin' out tonight.
I know Echoes of the Trail will treat you just right.

This event was begun eight years ago,
By Johnny Kendrick and Arnold Schofield, as you may know.

Partnering with others, including Fort Scott Community College,
This event celebrates western history, arts, and knowledge.

Thanks to our wonderful hosts in Bourbon County,
Our western heritage generates a great bounty.

From great poets and craftsmen and chuckwagon cookin',
It's fun to shop, listen, and do some lookin'.

We thank the Heartland Chapter of AWA,
For bringin' these artists together today.

Thanks to the committee for tending to every detail,
So that we can experience the Echoes of the Trail.

By Ron Wilson, 6-12-2004

It's great to be with all of you in Fort Scott,
To celebrate the wonderful western heritage we've got.

We love Echoes of the Trail each year,
For the fun and friends that we find here.

The performers you'll hear are among the best
At this poetry gathering and Celebration of the West.

We appreciate being hosted by the community college.
We can buy wonderful western products and gain equine knowledge.

'Cause there's a horse clinic here with Ryan White,
And cowboy church and chuckwagon grub that's just right.

So bring your family, the kids, and the wife,
For music, poetry, and tales of Indian life.

And make sure all of you come along
To hear Johnny Kendrick sing his wonderful song.

For as Johnny sings, my mind turns without fail,
To the days of the old west, and the Echoes of the Trail.

By Ron Wilson, 6-11-2005

It's great to be with all of you in Fort Scott
To celebrate the wonderful western heritage we've got.

We love Echoes of the Trail each year,
For the fun and friends that we find here.

The performers you'll hear are among the best,
At this poetry gathering and Celebration of the West.

You'll hear scholars and storytellers like the great Jim Hoy,
Who celebrate the Great American Cowboy.

We appreciate being hosted by the community college.
We can buy wonderful western products and gain equine knowledge.

There's a wonderful concert with Barry Ward,
And cowboy church to honor our Lord.

So bring your family, the kids, and the wife,
For music, poetry, and tales of western life.

And make sure all of you come along,
To hear Johnny Kendrick sing his wonderful song.

For as Johnny sings, my mind turns without fail,
To the days of the old west, and the Echoes of the Trail.

By Ron Wilson, 6-8-07