Cowboy Poetry MY OLD RIDIN' BOOTS By Ernie Roberts The other day my son said "Dad, why's them old boots in the barn hanging on the wall?" I said "Sit down son, if you've got a minute, I'll explain it all." "Ya see I just couldn't part with these old boots, even though they're worn out from years of ridin’ bulls and climbing across bucking chutes. I bought 'em because they're made from elephant hide. I needed some that were tough, to hold up through all those bulls I had to ride. As the years went by they seemed not to wear out. They became my favorite ridin' boots beyond a shadow of a doubt. They were with me during some of the greatest times of my career. When I slid them on, I gained the confidence needed to overcome a bullrider's fear. I don't know if they had much to do with whether or not I'd win, but I sure feel proud when I think about some of the great rodeos they rode in. From the Florida sand to the mud of Cheyenne and from Denver to San Antone, If these old boots could talk, I'm sure they'd remember every bull we got on. When I retired from ridin' bulls, I wore 'em breaking colts and never blew a stirrup through the hardest bucks and jolts. So to discard or throw them away, a part of me would be gone, by hanging them on this wall, some of my most cherished memories can forever live on." My son smiled as he got up and started to walk away; he said, "Don't worry Dad, they'll still be here when this ole barn is mine some day." Ernie’s Note: Throughout life we keep certain possessions that have special meaning and remind us of a favorite time or place. The boots mentioned in this poem were bought in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1976 at the Frontier Days Rodeo.