The Test

by Cactus Jack McCarty

© 1996-All rights reserved E-mail Cactus Jack!

Little fish look big in a mighty small pond
And the moon looks bright 'til the sun gits dawn'd.
He got the cows all work'd, thinks it went jus' fine;
In the picture of a Hand he wouldn't make one line.

If a Hand's been train'd, 'round enuf to know
Don't learn much "cowboy" in a rodeo
Or dodgin' sprinklers 'n' a hot-wire fence.
The Culture's been lost there, makes no sense.

If he's had the benefits of regimentation,
Right upbringin' 'n' proper instruction,
'Twill affect his dress, shines in his eye,
But the proof is in his where and why.

Dropp'd off in a place where he's never been,
A-workin' with folks he's never seen,
He'll ride a hoss that he's never rode
To handle cows he's never know'd,

The Hand will always come out right,
Still hold his position in the dark or light.
He'll be out of the way in a ready stance,
But he'll be where you need him at every chance.

You can paint the wall, but what's inside
Will soon come out, it just can't hide.
A "wanna-be's" really no less of a man,
Jes' not a cowboy if he can't make a Hand.

partially inspired by a conversation with Frank Winters, a Hand., while doin' our Fall Works'96.

from agricomm.com