A Cowman’s Valentine

So here it is Valentine's Day

And I've got something to say; While most folks are buying gifts; Spending cash hand over fist; Know with half a chance I would too; And I'm not just ignoring you

But those calf prices sure took a fall; Still, with you I've got it all So please take my IOU, And I'll make it up to you

When the market turns around; And new calves are on the ground

I ain't bought a dozen roses; Damn they're high, holy Moses! No candy or mushy Hallmark card; No jewelry nor plants for the yard; Didn't buy you pretty lingerie; Lucky, you prefer t-shirts anyway

Damn this market for taking a fall; Thank God with you I've got it all; And that you trust my IOU

Knowing I'll make it up to you; When the prices turn around; And new calves are on the ground.

Despite hardship, we've got true love; That shines just like the stars above; Two hitched together as a team; Forging ahead, chasing one dream; It takes a very special bride; To go through life at a rancher's side

So let the market take a fall No matter what, we've got it all; I'll offer another IOU

Knowing I'll make it up to you; When the prices turn around; And new calves are on the ground

Sean Sexton

Indian River County

Sean Sexton grew up on his family’s Treasure Hammock Ranch in Indian River County and divides his time between managing a 700-acre cow-calf and seed stock operation, painting, and writing. More of a “poet cowboy” than a “cowboy poet,” Sean is deeply involved with the poetry community, having read at the Miami Book Fair International, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, and the High Road Poetry and Short Fiction Festival in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He’s currently on his second term as the poet laureate for Indian River County and is in the running to become the state’s poet laureate. This February 17th and 18th, Sean has been invited to perform at the Lone Star State Poetry Gathering in Alpine, TX.

Sean has kept a daily sketch book and writing journal since 1973, capturing thoughts and images of daily life on the ranch. He shares his poem “Old Cow Museum” originally published in the Night Heron Barks journal in 2022, which talks about that place on every ranch where they put cows that they can’t do anything with. “In a way it’s about old friends,” Sean says. “It’s very sentimental and very real, very sad, too.”

You can hear Sean read “Old Cow Museum” at https://nightheronbarks.com/spring-2022/sean-sexton/. His books of poetry, “May Darkness Restore” and the brand-new “Portals” can be found at https://www. press53.com/sean-sexton. His poetry book “Blood Writing” can be found at www.anhingapress.org.