~~~~~

Dust!
Throat scratchin’, nose cloggin’
Dust!

It clings to my hair
An’s so thick in the air
My stingin’ eyes can’t see
Those steers ahead of me.

Noise!
Ear splittin’, head floggin’
Noise!

Thunderin’ drums beat
As hooves and ground meet
While mournful cattle bawls
Mix with drovers’ loud calls.

Heat!
Swelterin’, breath hoggin’
Heat!

My lips are all chapped;
And my strength is sapped;
I’d have to be a fool
To think I’ll ever be cool.

Sweat!
Dirt catchin’, shirt soggin’
Sweat!

My face has mud streaks
An’ my whole carcass reeks
With a terrible stench
From the all-over drench.

Pain!
Body achin’, brain foggin’
Pain!

My back is a wreck
From this long ol’ trek,
An’ I’m sure I’ll be lame--
My legs never the same.

Hunger!
Gut gnawin’, mind doggin’
Hunger!

Bacon an’ sourdough
Ain’t enough, you know,
To fill up a drover
‘Til the day is over.

Night!
Relaxin’, eye groggin’
Night!

Singin’ like a bird,
I circle the herd;
Before I can turn in,
Another day will begin.

~~~~~