Leon Autrey

Mountainair, New Mexico, USA

Leon has been a working cowboy and rancher all his life. Leon poetry is from the heart about the life he has lived and seen. Leon has been awarded the Salt of the Earth Awards the outstanding Rancher Award National Goodyear Award. Leon has had his poetry published in Several magazines and newspapers and by the National Library of Poetry. He has also wrote a book of cowboy poetry entitled (I dreamed last night I Seen Daddy) he has also recorded an album of songs he has wrote entitled (Melinda)

Why

When my sons were a little to small
They thought they were big and tall
They worked hard, they had that fry
But put me on the spot when they asked "Why"
Dad why are there trees on the mountain?
Why just grass on the plains?
Why did your horse buck this morning?
Why are you so happy when it rains?
Why does the bald eagle scream?
Why sometimes theres a bad dream?
Why do you try to laugh when I cry?
And why do you stutter when we ask you why?
Dad, why do we have to go to school?
When its so important that we help you?
We don't mean to brag, but we can ride drag,
As well as any fool.

Grandpa

What will they do with your saddle
Who will be wearing your spurs
And who will use your old bridle
When your time is done on this earth.
Sometimes I think of you grandpa
Looking out the window at school
And sometimes I get this sad feeling
Oh, what would life be without you
And whos going to carry on
Who's going to ride for this brand
The little boy stood in his stirrups
Who will take care of this land
The old man smiled to his grandson
His eyes sparkled and gleamed
He knew his work would carry on
He had just fulfilled a dream

The Seasons

The leaves are brown and gold now
And beginning to fall to the ground
Time goes by so fast, I marvel at how
Summer sped by so quickly, I didn't hear the sound
Of the new season as if gradually come around
Some times I get so caught up in material thing
I almost fail to see the beauty of the Spring
To see flowers, grass, rain and creatures large and small
Somehow there's great beauty in things dying in the fall
Looking back on the summer, draught so hot and dry
Rain's came late, sometimes I wonder why
Winter will bring hardships on beast and man
As I grow older, I've come to understand
To take these seasons as they are, I know I can
This fall as we ship the calves born in the spring
I can't wait to see what next spring will bring
This is my way of life, I cling to natures hand
Working hard, trying to be a good steward of the land.