My Boat

(Reading level: grade 3.8)

I went and bought a little boat,
You'd think the thing would barely float.
A thing of rotted wood and rust,
I had to buy it or I'd bust.

I repaired the rotted wood and rust,
And found a boat a man could trust.
I scraped and painted here and there,
With dreams of sea winds blowin' fair.

A fine new sail the wind will bloat,
As I cross the sea in my new boat.

Clint Bowman
1 July 1995


This poem was published in "Treasured Poems of America", winter 1996.

Do you like to go to the rodeo?

Every fall in August my hometown hosts a small local rodeo. I look forward to it. With the second half of July coming on, my thoughts are turning towards the fall and the rodeo. It's a great family fun time! Even for non-farming families, it is fun. You should look around your hometown and enjoy a good time at the rodeo. They usually have a special feature time for the kids. All those kids who wish to participate in this, usually love it. A piece of ribbon is taped onto a calf or a sheep or goat. The animal is let loose in the arena and the children chase it until one of them can pull off the tape and win the prize. It's a fun time! SO, check out your local rodeo, you will be glad you did.

The Rodeo Bull
(Reading level: grade 4.6)

The Rodeo Bull…

 Big, powerful, and determined,

Even with blunted horns,

 He brings pain and suffering,

To the cowboys who dare,

To challenge his power.

The Rodeo Bull…

Quietly awaits his challenger.

What does he think of,

In the hours and minutes prior,

To the eight long seconds of battle,

Between man and beast?

Published in an eBook of short stories on Amazon titled “Panther Trouble” in 2013.