WITHOUT SLEEVES
I am the cowboy's vest,
And this is why I'm the best.
I'm not just for fashion,
I have a practical passion.
Back when I came around,
Cowboy's shirts were found -
Lacking in storage space.
You know where they hid the ace.
Cowboys' trousers were also void.
Which made many a cowboy annoyed.
Some things in a cowboy's life,
Are essential to avoid certain strife.
Without me cowboys were in a fix.
Nowhere to keep their match sticks.
But more important, is el facto.
Where did you expect him to keep his tobacco?
Now, you know, I was not just for flair,
But practical organizational wear -
For a cowboy's logical operation.
I gave the cowboy a sense of elation.
No more fumbling in saddlebags,
And I helped hide their rumpled rags.
Those shirts with the wrinkles and tears.
I helped ''em obtain a young girl's cares.
Yes, I solved the cowboy's trouble.
Where they had none, now they have double.
Now they finally have pockets -
A place to carry a girl's locket.
Bull Durham pouch up top on the chest,
Grandad's gold watch over on the left,
And on the right, match safe and papers,
All the fixins for roll-yer-own makers.
Yes, before me, cowboys were plumb stymied.
Now, it's more about what I need.
With pockets right on the shirts and pants,
I'm tossed aside without even a second glance.
Yes, I'm the cowboy's vest.
I helped save the West.
But, times, they do change,
And I'm no longer needed on the range.
Now, I live all folded up in a chest,
Along with forgotten memories of the West.
No longer needed and obsolete,
Just hoping the day will come for a repeat.
© 2026 Brian McNeal
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WHAT HE DIDN'T KNOW
(Her Little Secret)
Her regular weekend trip to town
And upon her return, a mad dash to sit down
Arms full of packages on her way to the back
But the one he saw was the Home Depot bag
She made sure it was on the outside
Where he'd be sure to see it with both eyes
"I got you a present, but you'll have to wait," she said
- "Just don't make me wait until after I'm dead"
Quickly she'd stash the fabric and quilting supplies
And leave only the hardware trinket for his surprise
Then a quick deceptive flush and back to his chair
"Look what I found for you - I hope you like it, dear"
What he never knew was the stash of fabric in the back
The stack that grew week by week from that hardware bag
Had he known, he'd surely complain and resist
But what he didn't know was that his wife was an altruist
Making quilts was a passion - giving them, was love
Baby quilts, wedding quilts and all of the above
Fabric spoke to her the way the wind speaks to the trees
She could no more pass a fabric sale than she could make the sun freeze
What he knew was that she loved him enough to bring a gift
Every week, without fail, a small little token of thrift
What he didn't know didn't hurt him, and he died contented
Wrapped in a quilted coffin liner strangely Home Depot scented
© 2026 Brian McNeal
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THE HORIZON'S HOOK
The most incredible WOW! - you've ever heard
A bus full of people all saying the same word
In fifteen or twenty languages at the same time
There's only one place I know where it happens every time
The desert plateau with a flat horizon for miles
It's all you can see as you travel in any style
In a compact car or sitting high in a tour coach
Nothing can prepare you for the sight you approach
Photos bold, are grand, but flat and one dimensional
Stories told are second hand and conventional
The real beauty is seen only through your eyes
When you get the first glimpse of the real surprise
You've heard of the Skywalk and you came to see
You won't believe there is more, but you'll soon agree
Your first view is hidden from sight, and then it's gone
As you top the hill and round the bend - Majesty beyond
Eagle Point at Grand Canyon West is your first stop
From the rim to the floor is a four thousand foot drop
Wonders abound, but nothing compares to your first look
When you round the bend, top the hill, and get the hook
The most incredible WOW! - you've ever heard
A bus full of people all saying the same word
In fifteen or twenty languages at the same time
There's only one place I know where it happens every time
The desert plateau with a flat horizon for miles
It's all you can see as you travel in any style
In a compact car or sitting high in a tour coach
Nothing can prepare you for the sight you approach
Photos bold, are grand, but flat and one dimensional
Stories told are second hand and conventional
The real beauty is seen only through your eyes
When you get the first glimpse of the real surprise
You've heard of the Skywalk and you came to see
You won't believe there is more, but you'll soon agree
Your first view is hidden from sight, and then it's gone
As you top the hill and round the bend - Majesty beyond
Eagle Point at Grand Canyon West is your first stop
From the rim to the floor is a four thousand foot drop
Wonders abound, but nothing compares to your first look
When you round the bend, top the hill, and get the hook
© 2026 Brian McNeal
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