Poems by Boot Shine Gal Judy Johnston

Here are two poems by Judy Johnston, who had
a boot shine booth at Echoes of the Trail 2007:

The Look
  by Judy Johnston, 3/95

His face is etched and weathered.
His hands are callused and gnarled from wear.
His step is still spry,
He's got a look in his eye,
Though the years have whitened his hair.

I heard this old cowboy a talkin'
To a young buckaroo in the fray.
Who was just starting out,
To find what life was about
Living the "cowboy" way.

The old man said
"I could have read about being a cowboy.
All about roping and riding for a brand.

But for me, what it took
Why, I couldn't have got from no book.
It took years to make this waddie a hand.

Ya see,
It's a hunger.
A need.
A want to.
When it makes no sense
To some folks to even try.
And you'll know from the start,
Cause it comes from deep in the heart.
And you can tell
By the look
In the eye."

Wannabes
  By Judy Johnston, 1999

There are some that are.
And some that ain't.
And some just wannabe.

There are some, that all they can do is talk.
While others, quietly live a life
and whose actions speak loud enough for me.

There are some that think wearing a cowboy hat,
buckle and boots makes the man.

While others know it's what's inside the head and the heart
that makes the man "A Hand."

Now there are some who get dressed-up on weekends
and play cowboy just for fun.

Yet for others, it's a seven-day-a-week lifestyle
and the only job they've ever done.

There are some, that have absolutely no business
being around livestock.

Why, they can't tell which end is coming or going.

While a few, can read reams in:

the look of an eye, the cock of an ear
and sometimes with nary a sign a showing.
Now, the some that are - sure enough are!
And some that ain't - ain't! And that's a given

And the wannabes?

Well, they are highly irritating!
But they help western stores and
Horse traders make a decent livin'.