Cowgirl Haiku

Two words that may not seem connected, but their combination does reflect my quirky style. Just follow along for a second y’all.

Growing up on the outskirts of small town in Central California, farmers and ranchers summed up almost everyone I knew. From alfalfa to potatoes and almonds to roses with a mix of cow/calf and dairy operations and everything in between! My (small) social circle was drawn in the rich soil of this valley, and I probably thought everyone’s dad did a little bronc riding, a little roping, and a little blacksmithing while everyone’s mom kept a garden, canned food, and made clothes. I thought everyone had a pony, hated to collect the eggs because chickens are mean (I still stand by that!) and that the old west was the best. Books by Louis L'Amour, Arnold Rojas, or Zane Grey were my choices when I went to the library because this was before cable and western re-runs!

So where does the Haiku come in? I don’t remember when I discovered the Japanese form of poetry, but I always thought it was fun. It’s challenging to be limited to only 3 lines to convey an idea; a 5-syllable start, followed by a 7-syllable middle, and then a 5-syllable finish to complete a story. Yes, that makes me a word nerd.

Going west again, I love cowboy poetry, old songs, and storytelling! My brain is probably 80% movie quotes and old cowboy song lyrics, but I can’t sing a note. I’m definitely too shy to get on stage and act, so word smithing is what I do. Stirring up icons of the old west in a Japanese recipe may not sound good, but the finished product tastes good on the tongue.

Rattlesnake whiskey

Sagebrush six-gun poetry

Cowgirl Attitude.