Happy New Year, 2000

Happy New Year, 2000

By Jeralynn Strong

Many townsfolk all were panicked, the world was getting carried away.

Gloom, doom and disaster were predicted for Y2K.

Remember, computers all would crash, the banks were going to fall?

The grocery stores would not open, not least of all the mall?

Your telephone wasn’t going to work, no newspaper at the door?

Your car keys wouldn’t start the car, all this tragedy and more?

So people stocked up batteries, water and food to the gills.

Yet all that I could think about was heading for the hills.

So I started out that crazy year, with a ride on New Year’s day.

With Mom and several girlfriends, we soon were on our way.

Neva’s horse trailer was loaded, as was Paula’s, Mom’s and Char’s

as we headed out, dark thirty, and we marveled at the stars.

We pulled in Rock Miranda Ranch, Dick Harry was our host

and I was thrilled to be there, doing what I love the most.

After adjustin’ all our saddles, just as we had planned,

we mounted up and headed out as daybreak lit the land

The horses all felt frisky and were ready to get trucking, 

so we headed out at long trot, ‘cept for Neva’s Chief was bucking.

The horses perked at trotting pairs, and we admired the Oaks.

The vistas were incredible as we laughed and told some jokes.

There seemed to be a magic, we were in awe of One who weaves

Nature’s show, to entertain us, with a showering of leaves.

I remember having rode this Ranch, grass lush and green in Spring,

with Lupine flooding purple swath, with Red Tail on the wing.

This time, the land was resting, the dry grass brown and cured.

All is well in my world as we circle grazing herd.

I was sure this Ranch would show us, this New Year’d be just fine,

The creeks were still a tricklin’ though it was dry in Ninety Nine.

I was glad the land was not aware, and neither was my Bay,

that something wrong was going on.... that this was Y2K.

Now I’m glad for this new century, and I know it is my last.

I’d like to make some change for good, and hope the die’s not cast.

I wish folks’d ride on nights of full moon and cross bridges with no fear,

and have a Happy New Millennium, New Century, New Year.

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Note: Jeralynn is becoming more and more known in the cowboy poetry circuit where she reads her own verse on a regular basis. She's owner of the Relax N Up Ranch, home of  Fair Play Farm.