Kenneth T. Schofield  Wildomak, California, USA

Kenn was born in Miniota, Manitoba, Canada to Albert and Ethel Schofield. Upon leaving school, Kenn worked on a cattle ranch, then on Dude ranches, until he married the love of his life, Mina. They had five children: three girls and two boys. Kenn is very active in a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, but still finds time to write when, as he says, "the spirit moves him."

Click here to listen to The Dude Ranch Cowboy

Click here to listen to The Dying Gamblers Story

Click here to listen to The Key To Your Heart

The Dude Ranch Cowboy I used to be a cowboy, but quite a while ago I quit my job and now boy, I'm makin' twice the dough I'm a dude ranch cowboy Every saturday is rodeo, we ride and rope and shoot I guess we put on quite a show, the way the people hoot The bulls and broncos that we top, are trained to give a show Why I don't get an honest job, I guess I'll never know. I've learned to build a smoke, one handed from the sack Just like the movie cowpoke, from a buckin' broncos back I'm a dude ranch cowboy Young gals come to dude ranches, to learn to ride and rope But their parents take no chances, they send a chaperone I've learned to use that cowboy twang, you hear at the picture show But what I'm saying' I'll be hanged, if half the time I know. I used to sing to the rhythm of the hoof beats of my horse Now I play a big guitar and yodel too of course I'm a dude ranch cowboy Herdin' dudes instead of doggies, playing' wet nurse to old foggies And all dressed up like a cowboy movie star We have to call them guests, but they're dudes here in the west Where a mans a man and the gals are glad they are.

The Dying Gamblers Story In a little secret Gambling house in a city known for fame There sits a man of tender years his head bowed down in shame That young man told a story as sad as can be And if you will but listen this is what he said to me. A year ago I had a wife but she was called one day And as she lay so near to death she pressed my hand to say I'm giving you my wedding ring to cherish all your life And with these words the reaper called away my loving wife. Soon I started gambling til I never had a thing And on a hand I thought would win I bet my dead wife's ring I drew the card and looked at it, Oh God I cried aloud I've lost my dead wife's wedding ring to this drunken jeering around. When he had finished speaking he bowed his head and sighed And we who heard his story knew that he had died But that dying gamblers story didn't mean a thing Too bad they said, dealt the cards, and bet his dear wife's ring.

The Key To Your Heart If I had two wishes, and one wish to come true I wouldn't ask for riches, here's what I would do I'd wish I had the key to the door of your heart I'd take it from my pocket, use it to unlock it And so that we would never part I'd lock my love inside it, then take the key and hide it If I had the key to the door of your heart. I tell my self that I am, just wasting time this way I see you passing by and, beneath my breath I say I wish I had the key to the door of your heart I'd take it from my pocket, use it to unlock it And so that we would never part I'd lock my love inside it, then take the key and hide it If I had the key to the door of your heart.

All poems Copyright © 1998 Kenneth T Schofield. All rights reserved.