show and tell: narrative

My brother wrote this poem about his experience as a bull rider.

On the Other Side of the Chutes

It's all entertainment from seats in the stands
with yelling and cheering and clapping your hands
It's something quite different when going behind
Where cowboy's ropes hang from the fence in a line

The rosin is warming the glove starts to stick
Your mind starts to race for the ride's coming quick
Put on your chaps, and hook your spurs to your boots
The announcer yells out, "they're all in the chutes"

The rope is all ready so zip up your vest
Strap on your glove and put your grip to the test
Music is blaring, you don't pay attention
The ride which awaits is all concentration

"This is a rank one," your friends do kindly tell
As the guy before you drops into the well
Sit upon the back and settle in your seat
A spur makes 'im jump so careful of your feet

The rope is pulled tight and wrapped around your hand
In eight short seconds you'll find out where you stand
Your eyes on the spot you firmly nod your head
Then out through the gate the bull begins to tread

Several jumps to the left, then back to the right
Trying hard to stay on you grip very tight
Some times you make the ride, some times you do not
It's all part of the dream you've lived for and fought

At the end of the ride you dust off your chaps
Look out to the stands and thank 'em for the claps
With head high or head low you head back behind
Ropes no longer hang from the fence in a line

It's back behind the chutes you start to feel pain
It's all well worth it whether loss or whether gain
You could work in an office or wear fancy suits
But nothing beats the other side of the chutes

© 2007, Jeremy Sigle