She said, "I'd like to bring my kids to the ranch this Saturday.

That's all they talk about in class 'cause some live out that way."

She was good friends with the owner's wife. No way I could say no.

I'd planned on goin' ropin'- I reckon now, here's where I'll go.

Back then I was good at poutin'. No brag, just simple fact.

And I employed sarcasm. I used it without tact.

So when she said, "The Lord will bless, these are very special kids."

I shot some scripture at 'er, "I aim ta do what the Good Lord bids."

I think I hurt her feelin’s some, but they healed up right away.

She smiled an' shot back at me, "Good, we'll see you Saturday."

I had a hog-back geldin' I had just took on ta break.

They said he'd near 'bout killed two men.  A real four-legged snake.

The only horse I ever met that growled an' bared his teeth.

I saw it in his demon eyes. He'd like ta' get me underneath.

I kept 'eem in a sortin' pen. A pipe fence, eight foot tall.

I tried the horse barn. That didn't work. The first night he wrecked his stall.
A big boned, flashy Chestnut, with a flaxen mane an' tail.

And the' hog back horses I had known were heck fer stout, an' tough as nails. I guessed thirteen hundred fifty pounds; he stood sixteen hands plus one. Broad chest, good muscle, and well-rope long, eyes that burned
like a July sun.

Saturday, I left Rock saddled when we finished ridin' pens.

The cattle looked real good that day. There weren't but a few sick ‘ens.

The van pulled up, the teacher waved. I said, "It's show time, Rock!"

I watched the kids pile out that van, and I went into shock!

There was only six of them. Girls an' boys. Three of each.

My heart gushed with feelins' I thought I'd put way out a reach.

Every one of those sweet kids had a extra chromosome.

That is, every one of those sweet kids had the Down Syndrome.

The last kid off that bus would make a blind mule stop an' cry.

Frail an' pale, crusty red eyes, no more n' ten hands high.

He stood there, lookin' 'round, on legs all wobbly like a newborn.

I felt a tear, then a ache inside. My heart was bein' torn.

I went ta' pick 'eem up 'cause I could see that he was weak- boned.

The teacher stopped me. She said, "He likes to do things on his own."

She told me he had ailments that'd put most grown men down.

If that little feller's courage was water, all of us would drown.

I learned a little about his dad. I pray I never meet 'eem.

B'fore the law took hold of him; he starved the boy and beat 'eem.

"He never talks, though he knows how, he just hums lullabies.

His name is Donny," the teacher said, "He never frowns or cries."

Rowdy, that's ma cowdog, took ta' Donny straight away.

He never left his side. He was Donny's dog that day.

The kids saw Rock an' swarmed 'eem, like blow flies on a green hide.

They rode inside the barn awhile, an' then they went outside.

They kissed and hugged that special horse. All those special kids.

And God refueled my empty heart with love, plumb to the lid.

The kids took turns on Rock, then they all got on his back.

Rock was in horse heaven; they fed 'eem apples. A whole sack.

I turned ta' check on Donny. He kinda stayed off away.

He wasn't where I'd left 'eem, sittin' on that bale o' hay!

I panicked, ran outside. I heard the teacher go ta' yellin'.

She was runnin' after Donny. He was with that hog back geldin'!!

I whistled, then saw Rowdy posted right b'side that lad.

The' teacher stopped. I told 'er "Take it slow. That horse is BAD!!

Donny's stubby little fingers stroked that monster's velvet muzzle.

The boy an' horse were cheek ta' cheek an' they commenced ta' nuzzle.

Then Donny went ta' singin' to that horse. Right in his ear!!

The beast shut both eyes, let out a sigh. I felt another tear.

Rowdy looked at me like; "Say the word. I'll rip his head off."

I waved him off an' the teacher said, "Dave, I don't mean to scoff,

But I don't see a BAD horse here. Look! He's sound asleep.”

I figgered I'd done said too much, so I didn't make a peep.

That horse an' Donny smooched an' kissed. He sang his lullaby.

The teacher said, "He's using words!" Then she began to cry.

We had ta' break the "lovebirds" up. The kids were late for lunch.

I patted heads an' hugged their necks. They all said, "Thanks a bunch!!"

That's right! They ALL said, "Thanks a bunch," even little Donny.

He hugged my neck real tight an' whispered, "That horsie’s name is Johnny." He pointed at that hog back horse that looked ta' still be sleepin'.

I told ‘eem, "Johnny it shall be!" The teacher started weepin'.

Me an' Rock an' Rowdy watched those kiddos ride away.

The hog back horse, (I mean Johnny) dozed an' nibbled on his hay.

Already, I missed Donny. Everything he touched that day

Took on a gentler attitude. We all wanted him ta' stay.

Long story short; that hog-back horse, (I mean Johnny) took a saddle.

He never bucked. He knew his leads. In a week he was on cattle!!!!

"How'd ya' do it?" his owner asked. I said, "I didn't do a thing.

Johnny was broke the moment that he heard little Donny sing."

The teacher called, weeks later, with news that grieved me deep.

Donny went in a coma. The Lord took him in his sleep.

"You must know this," the' teacher said, “about our little Donny,

"I started not to tell you this...... but...... his daddy's name is Johnny"

For near thirty years I've been a stingy miser with that tale.

It's been my little "stash of gold" when I found my soul in jail.

All Donny had ta' offer was Love, Kindness, and Forgivin'.

He showed me then, but I'm slow learnin'; that’s the' key ta' joy-filled livin'. Now I share my little stash of gold with those of y’all who care.

I've kept it to myself too long. I've been told that wasn't fair.

To me, this story isn't sad. It brings Joy ta my heart.

I know WHO Donny's with right now, and that's my favorite part.

Dave Watson © 2004 This poem may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission.

~ Poem n' Pen ~