Doc Mayer

Doc Mayer's Poems:

PERSPECTIVES

I listened as two old folks were talking,
one said to the other, "It's clear,
curing cancer won't get you to heaven,
just makes you feel better, down here.
Making world peace, nah, that won't do it,
though the soldiers would have to find a new job,
and there's no painting you could paint that would get it,
with it's soft subtle colors or bright daubs.
Can't get there by stopping rap music,
though that would give my old ears a rest,
or stopping silly shows on the TV,
'cause not many channels are blessed.
We could stop all the muggings and killings,
or find what makes crazy folks tick,
we could stop all diseases tomorrow
so, nobody else would get sick.
If some politician stuck to his word,
and hunger was a thing of the past,
that wouldn't get him to heaven,
though the restaurants would sure have a blast.
Fear of uncertain outcomes,
that plague us almost every day,
could be chased off into the darkness,
and doubt could be thrown plumb away,
but, that would get us all nowhere,
at least, not where we're wanting to be,
'cause the Bible says to get up to heaven,
that Jesus must then intercede.
Admit that you are a sinner,
with a devout and sincere sinner's prayer,
ask for his mercy and guidance,
'cause that's the only way you'll get there!

Doc Mayer

Barnful Of Memories

I'd stopped and was poking around there, in a barn that I'd seen lots before,
just wasting time 'til the crew could arrive, noticed tears in the coat of paint that she wore.
When I'd walked in, through the cobwebs, a rattlesnake was coiled by the door,
I took care of him but, was watching in case there was two or three more,
but, I guess they figured that one was enough, to keep down the mice and the rats,
and the past he was guarding wasn't going nowhere, didn't act like he's worried 'bout that.
Well, when I'd got off and got in there you could see where the stables had been,
and a place for doctoring sick ones, right by an old calving pen.
Stanchions where the cows were all held, where they lined up, at the end of the day,
and somebody'd milked them while they were working on a big scoop of grain and some hay.
A hay fork hung on a track in the peak, with it's rope to open the tines,
and a tow rope to hitch to the horses, as they hoisted the hay up, behind.
An old pick-up sat in the shadows, someone had thought to bring it right in,
prob'ly the pride of those farmers, and there's no telling how far it had been.
Out in the front of the milk room, by the door, were a couple of chairs,
I 'magine they sat in the cool evening breeze, when they had a second to spare,
you could see they'd painted a checkerboard on a stump, right between those two seats,
and how many times did a feller get kinged, as they devoured their suppertime treats.
There were letters nailed up on the woodwork, a notice when they'd proved up on this place,
a draft note that would take someone to Europe, to stop the Kaiser's land taking disgrace.
There, in the studs, sat an old wooden gun, prob'ly left there by a son as he grew,
maybe the same one who'd traveled to Europe, and he'd carry a rifle there, too.
How many dreams did the man and his wife make, thinking his plans were forever,
when the only thing, lasting, they ever did, was they were doing each of those things together.
You could see some names carved into a beam, was that the couple or the son and a flame?
And was that the guy with the rifle, or was I playing some real far fetched game?
Heard the crew riding up, outside the barn, so, I went out to keep 'em out there,
'cause this place was filled with the old times, and I didn't think that they'd care.
I felt like I'd toured their lives way back then, and it didn't seem that to joke would be right,
so, when they asked, "What's in the barn?" I said, "Not much." like, somehow that might
protect all their dreams from their poking, like there's anyone left who would care,
but, I felt the need to shelter those dreams, and all of the stuff they left there.

I wonder if I'll leave behind any trinkets, that are clues to the things that I've done,
and, you think, anyone, ever will stop consider wars that I lost or battles I won?
Maybe we write our own stories, and the things that we leave, an insight,
but, I wonder if anyone watches my dreams and you suppose, they'll interpret 'em right.

Doc Mayer

Six Inch Rain

I was sitting having coffee one morning, listening how old folks will talk,
'bout how not too much is the norm here, how their dirt tanks were drier than chalk.
"All of last year, got nine tenths of an inch, but, it's just enough to keep me a float,
and this year doesn't seem any better, guess I won't be needing a boat."
"Last Thursday it rained, didn't settle the dust, it was only a grass rain, at best,
I thought the storm hung over Hartley's, but, it turns out, they're dry as the rest.
I've gotten so I'd go fifty miles, just to see the green grass at it's purest,
if I just got there 'fore it stopped I'd be a bonified wet rainfall tourist."
"We didn't get enough from that storm, to wet the fly in the rain gauge, last night,
but, that rascal is dead, so he'll be there, and then when it rains next week, it just might."
"If rain was a sickness, I'm feeling fine and we talk about hundredths we got,
and my brother, who's living in Phoenix knows 'dry' for sure and I'll tell you what,
when he talks about a good six inch rain and I've noticed, when he does it, he flinches,
what he means is, they didn't get very much, only one drop about every six inches."
"I guess that it's good this is just short grass prairie, 'cause the grass never gets very tall,
full of nutrition, and cows do real well 'cause the cows eat 'til they eat it all."
"You know, I reckon, we're missing the point, with all of our talk,
it's God who sends us the rain storm, no matter if we do a rain dance or not.
I mean, you won't see the cows looking up, it's like they know and they've got the sense,
to move where it's a little bit greener, I guess it's us with our gates and our fence."
That calmed 'em all down as they nodded, and it left 'em without too much to say,
I imagine they'll sit and just watch the clouds, for life from the sky, sent down God's way.

Doc Mayer

To The Forest Service

Let's suppose that you and I exchange jobs, and I work for the gov'ment each day,
you get to be the rancher or farmer, would things turn out the same way?
Or do you think that a rancher is born to the land, and he didn't get there by chance,
is reverence for the land, accidental, or would you get it if you owned the ranch.
Sometimes, I feel we're a long ways apart, and maybe the best thing to do is change hats,
how would I look as Smokey The Bear? you in bent brims and green splats.
D'you think I'd be that demanding, making plans for the water you need,
and if it's taking your land or your cattle, would I do anything just to succeed?
You think I'd forget about personal rights, and start to explain 'greater good',
forgetting Constitutional tenets would I act like a uniform should?
Think for a second, if roles were reversed, and your family was the one that got moved,
and you counted on me to honor the rights, to the water or land that you proved.
The Indians have a saying, I like, walk a mile in his moccasins before you decide,
so I'm trying to imagine the problem if I approached it from a whole 'nother side.
I'd like to think I'd honor your claims, and listen to all you had to say,
try to do fair for the people involved, not just go in and, at gun point, take it away!

The New Christy Minstral Singers

The most out-going guy in the world, or one of the orneriest cusses,
some guy who always acts really cheerful, or one who fights and he fusses.
It doesn't make any real sense to me, that that changes his personal rights,
though it may decide who his friends are, with all that bellyaching, it might.
But, in theory, they're treated the same, or, you know, they really should be,
when they're up facing the bench, when some judge, judiciously,
will ponder the facts of the case and he'll say, whether your rights stand up or not,
maybe you'll end up losing your land, or you'll keep this country you bought.
The problem will usually come up, when, in the name of some personal cause,
some group pleads the law of free access, to where some type of dinosaur was.
They don't seem to see there's a problem, or any kind of important connection,
between your sacrifice to live here, and their endangered species collection.
I can't imagine they'd get very far, trying to claim some factory lot,
but, the future of your place is in question, depends if they take it or not,
it seems that somebody's gotta say it, post the land, and lock up the gate,
keep the government off of your place and let's get this principle straight.
The problem may have been started, in the lines of the old Guthrie song,
but,see, my land is not really your land,, I think, he got that part all wrong!

Cowboy Tests

What is it with cowboys and cooking, there's not a one, it seems, eats from a can,
but, they'll cook up the steaks and the biscuits, and pitch a fit if wash out their pans.
They're Dutch Oven artists with a cobbler, and the coffee will have to have grounds,
a splash of cold water will settle them out, then a dirty old cup will be found.
Who ever made up the five second rule? should be a minute and a half,
as they eat mountain oysters with their fingers, which didn't come from a mountain, but, a calf.
They aren't too particular if no one is looking, but, in a crowd, they'd shame Julia Childs,
they always act like they're in control, and they're connoisseurs with anything wild.
They'll dig a deep hole in the morning, 'fore they ride out, they'll put in a stew,
in a Dutch Oven surrounded with embers, and by noon they've cooked it clean through.
I'm glad that someone enjoys it, 'cause all I want to do is doze off,
and I could care less about supper, long as it's not served in a trough!
When it comes to cooking, I ain't much of a hand, if that's the test of a cowboy, I fail,
but, if it's doing a job, or working 'til dusk, I'll grab that bear by the tail!

Has Liberty Been Forsaken?

You know how the Indians were thrown off the land, they lost to a much bigger power,
is that what's happening to ranchers right now, have we had our collective best hour.
It's ironic to think cowboys and Indians'll fight, and, now, we battle with a government foe,
do you think they'll make reservations where dispossessed ranchers can go?
While losing to society's regrettable, making trails or getting oil is the thing,
and does it matter at all why it happens, I wonder, can ranchers still hear freedom ring?
Well, this gives me a whole new perspective, to watch as our ranches get taken,
is it all about corporate dealings, or has liberty itself been forsaken?

Fourth of July

The fourth of July, annual fireworks, young people yell as a big one'll burst.
The oohs and aahs of the neck craning crowd
as they watch for flowers of light and do it out loud.
That brings to mind when souls meet the Lord,
the angels must sing and go overboard
in a welcoming party while they're bringing one in,
because they're forgiven not because they don't sin.
There are probably fireworks in the great welcome party
because, one more is safe and the angels aren't tardy
in saying, "Good work, and I know it was tough
but, it looks like you've loved Him sincerely enough."
Now, I don't want you to sell the old devil short
there are fireworks in Hell but, of a much different sort.

Ephesians

"Women, you should always submit to your husbands," he nodded and pointed to the open good book,
"Husbands, love your wives the way you love yourselves" then she shot back the very same look.
Too often, couples try and get upper hands to protect their interests in wedding day vows,
not ever admitting, they're both compared to the love of Christ for the church. That's what counts anyhow!
The real upper hand, in life or in marriage reaches down from the Heavens to lift us all up,
all He asks is we love without reservation and just like our lives, don't let our devotions be shut.
If we could ever get the hang of His mercies forgiving ourselves the way He does us
with no judgment involved, just total devotion, we'd get so much love, we'd probably bust.
Accept Christ as your Savior and venerate Him honor and accept all the gifts that He gives,
two thousand years since He died for us sinners, what glorifies Him is when you acknowledge He lives.
This isn't a game where you do things to win it, the victory is yours long 'fore you start,
just live to make Him proud of your efforts and accept you're already deep in His heart.
We all keep our eyes on the size of the diamond, figure a way we can drive a new car,
but, really, in this reality show we are living what we really should do is make Jesus the star.
Just take a heart full of the gifts that He offers, put Him dead center in the trials of your life
and you'll find that things are much better with the country, your church, your husband, your wife.

Doc Mayer

Righteous Man

I know that you've met a righteous man, before this,
but, have you wondered why things go his way,
whenever he's faced with a mountain in life,
the first thing he does is to pray.
Since, God's no respecter of persons,
why does it seem, He hears some people clearer,
it may be because in the midst of our lives,
He hears better, whenever you're nearer.
If you live close to Him, every day,
you're probably more righteous than most,
and, if you let Him order your steps through a problem,
and you give credit to your Heavenly Host,
you're probably, in a select group of believers,
and all of your prayers avail much,
ask for His help, and, He'll give it,
and in the Bible, He says it as such.
Sometimes, when God talks it's in a voice small and still,
and you know how a whisper is quiet,
you'll have to be closer to hear it,
but, if you ask righteously, He'll never deny it.
The secret is in living much closer to Him,
live more like He wants, and, you'll be okay,
in the noise of our lives, listen, and, live closer,
and He'll be more apt to hear what you say!

Doc Mayer

Headsmart

Head smart can be pretty deceiving,
it won't answer the questions you think,
to some things there's no obvious answer,
and,your best bet is to click on the link.
I mean, the answer is surely related,
if someone had their head on real straight,
they'll talk around the issue real well,
but, they'd be better off if they wait.
Because some feller with a passel of heart smart,
will go straight to the heart of the issue,
and give all the credit to God,
and, linger on truths that'll miss you.
Somethings, we better leave plumb alone,
and, not try to understand all the facts,
since it's hard to control the God factor,
sometimes, it's best not to think, but, to act!
Act in a way that doesn't make sense,
but, you know is the right thing to do,
and, you'll be amazed at the pay back,
and, how good it feels deep inside you.
It's a thing that you'll never explain to a textbook,
or the guy who has one in his head,
sometimes, it's not a matter of logic that counts,
but, makes sense to some other part,instead.
Sometimes, God can surely empower you,
and, the warm feeling goes into your soul,
and, now, it makes sense, what didn't before,
when feeling, not understanding's your goal.
Sometimes, there's a fact that you can't figure out,
no matter the understanding it's giving,
maybe it's best to accept it for now,
since you can't see the truth where you're living.
So, don't confuse head smart with heart smart,
it's apples and oranges in this case,
let man do his thing, let God do the rest,
and that'll put those things back in place!

Doc Mayer