SLIM’S SONG
Sky so black it shines
Stars dance and glimmer
Souls surely are up there
Swimmin and lookin down
We’re keepin warm by
Smoky’s campfire, we
call him that cause he
could make a fire outta rain
For once Lance brings ME
coffee, like an equal pardner
Took me years of provin myself
to get to this place at the fire
Not huddlin by the chuck wagon
Not hangin back like a shy kid
But ridin and wrangling with em
Sharin dirty jokes and talkin bout
women we had in Laramie, and
I had me a few; they were better off
for knowin me. Glad I cut off
my hair and bound my breasts
to assume this identity
They think I’m a him and
that’s fine with me, I was born
to be a he, Little Slim Lantree
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Woke up this morning not knowing I’d be a transgender cowboy by afternoon, but here I am, thanks to dverse. This gal had upchucked the chuck wagon, born to ride, probably had all brothers on her father’s ranch and wasn’t going to be left behind to his devices. And the prostitutes, used to slam-bam-thanky-ma’am, were obviously pleased with her prowess… wink. Also for the Poetry Pantry at Poets United.
This gender bender also appears at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads. Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
brian miller
just hope they dont figure that out on lonely nights on the trail…just saying…and i would say there is a bit of proving to be done to get that place by the fire…nicely done amy…nice seeing you around the pub a bit more this week…
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, Brian, I was relating to the prompts a bit more. I always check in, but they are often over my head, especially the forms. Lucked out this week! A
claudia
ha – that was a big risk she took – we do at times to live our dreams…right..? reminded me of a film where sth. similar happens…but then she fell in love with him and he thought she’s a man and..oh…things were getting complicated…smiles
Sharp Little Pencil
I’ve seen a few, including “Sylvia Scarlett” with Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, in which a critic meanly mentioned he felt Hepburn looked better as a man than as a woman. Meeeeeow! As for living our dreams, yes, it can be risky, but sometimes it’s all you can do, follow your heart… Thanks, Claudia. Amy
Heaven (@asweetlust)
Well that quite a gender bender turn ~ I like this part best as there is a note of pride, something we can all identify with:
For once Lance brings ME
coffee, like an equal pardner
Took me years of provin myself
to get to this place at the fire
Sharp Little Pencil
Yep, it’s all about breaking through the Glass Starry Sky. She started off a runt and had to earn it. Been there! Thanks, and coming your way now, AMy
Laurie Kolp
This made me smile, Amy. The “guy” in the picture is pretty… love your cowboy dialect, too.
Sharp Little Pencil
Had to really look around to find a suitable pic, it’s true, no Don Draper 5:00 shadow! Thanks for the comment on dialect. Hanging with hippies is about the same thing! Amy
Laurie Kolp
True, that… ; )
shanyns
Perfect! She isn’t alone, many did what she did and grew into being women on the range – skirted and still cowboy’d up! Great take on this. Thanks for joining us around the fire.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks! Actually, if you look between the lines, she’s bending the gender, which might get her in trouble… I worry about her, now that I’ve created her… isn’t that funny how protective we become of our characters who never were? Coming your way now! Amy
shanyns
Even if she bends it her pirate and cowboy ancestors blazed her a trail. Ha ha
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
Ah that was a nice twist.. of course there were female cowboys every now and then… Love what you did in this little song. I can see Slim in front of me and the triumph of finally being served coffee.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, Bjorn, I’m sure that was one sweet cup of Joe… and yes, there were females riding the range in skirts, even…. but this was def. a courageous, early transgender person. She was born to be a man. Thanks, coming to see you now! AMy
Barefoot Baroness
Thank you Amy for the visit and follow of LBB. I am quite enamored with your writing, the diversity in your poetry is stiflingly beautiful. Following your words now too new friend ~ BB
Sharp Little Pencil
BB, it’s a mutual admiration society, what can I tell ya? We share a love of words, of life, of being. I appreciate the diversity comment, because I am manic depressive and that’s often a burden… yet in poetry, I can let fly! A
Barefoot Baroness
Wow Amy thank you. And please let me extend the invitation if you ever get anywhere close to me in Oregon, I will meet you if need be. That I agree with that fast friends we have become.
That wonderful cliche “kindred” spirits is non the less true.
Kathryn Dyche Dechairo
Love such a different take on this prompt, it left me smiling.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Kathryn. I checked out your site and found other people writing, not you… I don’t think. I’ll keep after your link! Sounds like this little PFLAG mom might enjoy it! Amy
howanxious
It is sad that even today some women have to try to adopt some masculinity in their personality to gain some sort of equality.
Interesting creation. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, HowAnxious! Yes, it’s true, breaking the “glass ceiling” has all those tired phrases such as “If you’re assertive and a man, they call you driven. If you’re assertive and you’re a woman, they call you a bitch.” But tired phrases have their roots in truth, and it’s been so ever since I was a little girl raised by a proto-feminist mom. Coming your way now, thanks for visiting! Amy
Susan
Totally cool, if slutty! A nice surprise!
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, yeah, (blush) I do know a little about slutty. From other women, I assure you, ha ha ha. Thanks, Susan!
Mary
An interesting poem, Amy. Is this based on a true story? It has the ring of that.
Sharp Little Pencil
Mary, it’s one hundred percent fiction. I’m delighted it felt true to you. There have been many cases over the years of women “passing” as men (notably jazz pianist Billy Tipton, who married numerous times even though he wasn’t officially transgendered; his parts were still female). Remember ‘Boys Don’t Cry,’ the movie with Hilary Swank as a girl who passed as a boy adn was beaten to death? THAT, tragically, was a true story.
Why people have to be so hateful about things that are not their business,especially in the name of God and Christ, baffles this Christian. Amy
zongrik
i really like this. funny, my son and I were just talking about a friend of his who is transgender and is getting some surgery. didn’t expect to see a transgender poem today. 🙂
Midnight Cowboy — A Quick Review
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, old friend, nice to see you, Tammy! That young person is lucky to have understanding friends, parents, peeps, as his or her transition nears. It’s a difficult surgery either way, and you’d be surprised how many people are not so nice about it. Good on you – thanks for leaving a link. Coming there now! Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Cool cowboy poem, Amy. I can see that fiery young girl, riding the range.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, Slim had to pretend to be a man, but eventually I think the lack of facial hair will catch up with her…! Amy
margaret
I bet the prostitutes lined up for “slim”. I think I would have preferred the life of a cowboy over what many women had to do back in the day…
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, like prostitution! Or being a schoolmarm until you either married some drunk or died… or the town washerwoman or seamstress. Oy, it never has been easy to be a woman, but we have it a helluva lot better than back then… Thanks. Amy
Jo, East Africa
Hello, Sharp Little Pencil. I followed you here from Kay’s blog. I love your poetry! Glad to hear you also write in your cats’ voices. My youngest of three Tanzanian cats, sneaks onto my laptop on Saturday nights while we’re at the club (we live on a diamond mine site) and writes up his Sunday Pets Forever Blog. He’s quite good, I must say. If you have a chance please visit my blog which is mainly about Life in East Africa. I’d love to have you there. Greetings, Jo
Sharp Little Pencil
My sister’s name is Jo! Cool. You may call me Amy if you like. I’m so glad you clicked on my link and that you know Kay. She’s a hoot!
Yes, actually both my husband and I speak Cat. Also, all songs are about cats, such as “I Wanna Hold Your Cat” and “I See a White Cat and I Want to Paint it Black…”! I shall visit your blog as soon as I finish this comment, which is what I always do, as a courtesy. Thanks for leaving your URL. Amy
kaykuala
A gender-bender Cowboy would be somewhat different from a cowgirl I would imagine. There would be lots of stories to tell. Rightly, for the ‘he’ was all along together with the guys where the action was. The whores would love ‘him’ for taking the able-bodied guys for a ride! Brilliant take Amelita!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
I think the prostitutes would also enjoy a customer who knows what they like, ha ha. And yes, this is totally different from the cowgirls, who didn’t ride the range as much as keep the ranches running back home. Too many problems with a woman along, I suppose. Thanks, Hank! Amelita the Bender of Genders
Rowan Taw
Well, this was a coming of age song with a twist! I love the idea that the women would be happier with her than the self-serving guys. I really enjoyed this (but sorry to read about the racist troll).
Sharp Little Pencil
Rowan, thanks. First, the troll has crawled back under his pitiful little bridge (in an all-white neighborhood, no doubt). And you are the first to notice the coming of age part of this story; it’s true. I imagine once “he” gets older and shows no sign of a beard, it’ll get uncomfortable. Now I’m worried about Slim… guess I’ll have to revisit Slim in the future and catch up. Glad you commented here; coming your way now! Amy
wolfsrosebud
you really captured the attitude of the picture… nice job
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, hon! Amy
Andrew Kreider
I love this one, Amy! Took me by surprise, and loved where it took me. Thanks for sharing it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for commenting, Andrew. So glad this pleased you, as I am such a fan of your work… To surprise you, well, I don’t think that’s easy! Amy
Lisa A.Williams
Wonderful take on the prompt! I have never written any Cowboy poetry, might give it a shot. This was great!
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, little missy, this here was my first try at writin in the cowboy style… guess I did OK, dunno… ha ha. Thanks! A
I HAVE A VOICE
what a vivid image! Terrific writing as always !
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much for this. As always? Really? Wow, thanks again, Deborah! Amy
oldegg
I’d like to think that this is a poem of acceptance and fitting in. Sadly we have a long way to go in this quest. Humanity has a this curious penchant for bullying different color, speech, sex and just about everything else. What is so amazing is that we supposedly are the most advanced species…which I truly doubt.
Sharp Little Pencil
Dolphins have it all over us. Also whales. And yet we destroy them by the thousands. Elephants don’t care what color the next elephant is, they simply want to roll together in the pools… you really are onto a whole ‘nother poem, here, Robin. You have a sensitive soul, and I love that. Amy
mybeautfulthings
That came as a surprise! Loved the form and the strength of ME! Brilliant expression of self 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, I don’t ride the range, but Slim pulls it off with great aplomb. I’m worried about her, though, may have to check in on her when she fails to sprout stubble with age… Amy
Mary
Amy I have commented on your poem already before Barefoot Baroness and Bjorn, whose comments you have shown above. Mine continues to be ‘under moderation,’ but you undoubtedly saw it as you released comments made both before and after. It was respectful and sincere….but obviously there was something about the comment that you didn’t like. I guess I am surprised that you would censor respectful comments. And to be honest I am hurt, along being surprised. Are you only sharing comments that say what you wish to be said? Confused.
Sharp Little Pencil
Mary, don’t want to embarrass you, but your comments reached me about five hours after Bjorn and the Baroness, whose comments reached me on the same day (Aug 10) but around noon. Yours came in at around 5, and I think Bjorn and Barefoot were the last comments I handled yesterday. I’m way behind.
Your comment was positive and respectful, sincere as always, and I appreciate that. There was nothing about the comment I did not like! It’s just that I usually answer comments pending in the order received. But to set the record straight, when I saw this from you, I “jumped” over two people to get this posted.
As for censorship, you should know by now that, after that horrible debacle with the racist commenter on the Treyvon Martin poem kept blasting away, I posted all those, including the one that “dared me” to post it. I finally assigned him to Spam only because he was redundant and he was insulting other commenters’ remarks.
Now I hope that sets the record straight. We’re friends, right? And the Web delivers when she wishes to deliver on the blogs. Maybe the Baroness and Bjorn are on WordPress, I’m not sure. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Love, Amy
Eileen T O'Neill
Amy,
This sure had an authentic feel to it and the scene around that campfire was easy to see…A brave cowboy/girl, in strong territory like that…
A very interesting piece of reading,
Thanks Amy for your comments at my Blog.
Eileen
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks to you as well, Eileen. Appreciate your stoppin’ by my campfire!
Sumana Roy
….he/ could make a fire outta rain…..really shines.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks Sumana! Couldn’t find a blog other than the Paz poem, which was beautiful. So glad you visited. Amy
Talon
This was such a great read and what an adventure…makes me think there might have been one or two girls in the ol’ Wild West who dared to try something different. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Like Thelma and Louise in cowboy boots, right? Thanks. Coming to your blog now! A
Barefoot Baroness
I am touched that you shared with, really like how you are open about because it is nothing to hide.
Glad again that we live in the same universe.
Sharp Little Pencil
We have become fast friends, I think because we both possess a lack of (and intolerance for) BS. After reading your post about your daughter today, I can tell you, we’d have a lot to talk about if you ever came to Madison, WI! Amy
Sara v
Hi Amy–Didn’t see this coming–though very glad it did 🙂 Read a fascinating story about a woman that did just that–came across the US to CA and everyone thought she was a man–lived that way until she died and then..surprise! Keep telling it like it is or might be–so much more interesting!