Author: Jerry Brotherton

I am The Backyard Poet and I warn you that, not only will I ramble on about nothing but, I have been known to stand upon my soapbox and rant about things I care nothing about just to hear the sound of my own voice. I will try to force my opinion upon anyone willing to pay the slightest attention.

~ Forgive This Old Cowboy…

On By Jerry BrothertonIn cowboy, Poetry15 Comments


I’ve run long and hard down this trail we call life
it’s been filled with heartache and been filled with strife
I’ve taken some things with my gun, fist and knife
But I swear I’ve always been faithful to you

Some times I’ve flirted with a filly or two
there have been times when I chased a drink or two
I sometimes didn’t do what I said I’d do
But I swear I’ve always been faithful to you

I have gambled away a paycheck or two
I’ve told some white lies but never one to you
Have I hidden cards? Maybe more than a few
But I swear I’ve always been faithful to you

I have cussed like a sailor on Friday night
Never was accused of being too polite
Had a hard time telling what’s wrong and what’s right
But I swear, I’ve always been faithful to you

Now I’m near the end of this dusty old trail
I’ve tried to make you proud but I’ve always failed
You needed the sun but I’ve forever paled
But I swear I’ve always been faithful to you

Now I have lost the trail in this setting sun
You deserved a good man but I wasn’t one
I hope you’ll find what you need after I’m gone
Remember, I’ve always been faithful to you

After the Game

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Poetry, Tercet2 Comments

Super bowl Sunday
ended yesterday
I was sure my diet had won

I did not prevail
when I saw the scale
and it read my old weight plus one

So now that football
won’t be back ‘til fall
I will get back to it again

No more tasty sweets
Cookies, pies or treats
And this time I’m going to win

Going to work out
That’s what it’s about
Making my flabby muscles strong

I look at the road
And see it has snowed
So starting today might be wrong

~ Porches…

On By Jerry BrothertonIn cowboy, Poetry10 Comments

I have known many porches throughout the years
some adorned in laughter and some wrought with tears
Porches where warm breezes floated o’er the plains
and the sunlight shimmered ‘cross green waves of grain

Porches below mountains that stood tall and proud
their snowcapped peaks towering into the clouds
Porches where sea mist fell across our faces
and ships horns faded to faraway places

Porches lost in the shadows of steel and glass
the sky had no sunshine and yards had no grass
Porches that looked out across strange foreign lands
some with views of forests, some jungles, some sand

Porches ‘neath a sky filled with millions of stars
miles away from the closest ribbon of cars
Porches where the song of birds greeted each day
and summer breezes brought the smell of fresh hay

Porches from where I’ve watched the day start anew
and sunsets that filled the sky with wondrous hue
No matter the time, the place or the weather
I’ve loved all the porches we’ve shared together

Nature’s Harmony

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Non Fiction, Poetry, Short Stories9 Comments

As I sit here at the dining room table and look out over the bird feeder while sipping my coffee ( really just sugar, creamer and a little caffeine) I watch a Downy woodpecker as it hops backwards down the tree to grab a seed. The Red Bellied woodpecker hangs upside down from the limb to take his share. The Black eyed Juncos scratch around at the base of the tree while the Nuthatches, Titmice and Chickadees dart in and out. The Cardinals form a line to patiently wait for their turn. Sure, an occasional Blue Jay bullies his way onto the feeder but generally there is a calm and orderly procedure that nature follows. So many varieties of birds all working together in natures harmony. They don’t care if Phil saw his shadow or not. They don’t care which party is in charge of the White House. All they care about is the free food.

~ Campfire Nights…

On By Jerry BrothertonIn cowboy, Poetry11 Comments

By the time the sun’s faded o’er the prairie
well I’m just about as tired as tired can be
My horse has been fed and all the tack is clean
after a biscuit and a few campfire beans

I lay my head down on blanket and saddle
listening to lowing of grazing cattle
Somewhere cross the campfire a guitar gets strummed
and songs start to flow from those old cowboy’s tongues

Voices that float across those low campfire flames
telling tales of glory, riches and fame
Songs sung by punchers that history won’t name
about all those brave men who once roamed the plains

Lending voices to the songs, a coyote’s howl
the screech of a hawk and the hoot from an owl
The shuffling of the horses hitched to the line
the sough of the wind as it flows through the pine

The strum of guitar and the hum of soft tunes
The sight of the stars as they shoot cross the moon
I pray I will always have these kinds of nights
with cowboys singing across my campfire light
Jerry Brotherton
copyright 2020