Winning poems in Echoes of the Trail 2010 Student Cowboy Poetry Contest.

Category: Traditional "Old West" Theme

First Place: "Old West" by Piper Bolen, 6th grade, Pleasanton Elementary School, Mrs. Ham's class

The old west times were rough and hard.
To be in a gunfight, you were sure to be scarred.

Trick riding and bull fighting were part of the deal.
You had to work all day to earn your meal.

Hiding out in saloons or in hotels.
Some even consider them to be rebels.

Most of the cowboys carry an "ace in the hole."
If they got caught in town with a gun, they must pay a toll.

Shooting and fighting were their way.
Cowboys were violent and lonely all day.

It's sad to say that they usually lived a short life.
They usually got killed by a gun or a knife.

But sometimes the only memories of the old western cowboys are in a song.
Songs we hear today come from the hearts of real live cowboys and that's where they belong.

So, if you hear an old time country song, listen to it.
Maybe it's telling a story about a cowboy whose working body never quit.

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2nd Place, Traditional "Old West" Theme

"West" by Grant Goldston, 5th grade, Winfield Scott Elementary, Mrs. Weilert's Class

I am roundin up the cattle
On my new saddle,

My horse is so tough
But, the trails are really rough,

We stop to rest a little
So, then I play my fiddle,

To be the best in the West
You have to have lots of rest,

I am ready
So is my horse Teddy,

It is getting dark
The wolves are about to bark

I love the West
It is the best

3rd Place, Traditional, "Old West" theme

"Cowboy Rhyme" by Gabrielle Allen, 5th grade, Winfield Scott Elementary, Mrs. Weilert's class

Once upon a time
There was a cowboy rhyme.

I am a horse that runs tame but free,
Across the fields that I see.
Some cowboys ride me across the plains,
That the Indians seem to claim.

I work almost all day,
When I am done I lay.
Sometimes I graze,
Sometimes I daze.

I have never done a crime,
But that is my cowboy rhyme.

Historical Character Category

1st Place, Historical Character Theme

"Laura Ingalls Wilder" by Makayla Robertson, 5th grade, Eugene Ware Elementary, Mrs. Jackson's class

Laura Ingalls Wilder
was her name.
She grew up in the midwest
and writing was her fame!

Laura's life was not greatly different
of many young woman in her day;
it was her ability to revisit her childhood
in writing in an interesting way!

Her series of books
came from various places;
allowing the reader
to fill [feel] warm embraces.

Her success through the hard times
to some may be a mystery;
But her series of The Little House "Books"
will go down in history!

2nd Place, Historical Character Theme

"Annie Oakley" by Angelina Fasanella, 6th grade, Pleasanton Elementary, Mrs. Ham's class Annie Oakley

I was born on August 13, 1860 in Darke County, Ohio.
I was born in a log cabin, the story's been told.
My father died when I was six.
I started shooting with my father's gun when I was only 9 years old.

I knew the Lakota leader called Sitting Bull.
He gave me my nickname, "Little Sure Shot: because he was impressed by my skill.
I started going to many shooting competitions.
I could handle a gun with great skill, but never a man to kill.

I had seven brothers and sisters.
I shot a hole in a playing card 16 feet away.
I could shoot the head off a running quail when I was only twelve.
At a shooting competition I met my husband Frank E. Butler and got married one day.

I married him at age 15.
Even then at ninety feet, I could shoot a dime thrown in mid-air.
We started in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
I was in Sells Brother's Circus, my husband and I, were a pair.

I thrilled your ancestors as "Little Sure Shot."
I won many awards.
Then I died on Nov 3, 1916 of anemia.
For my shooting I won many great rewards.

3rd Place, Historical Character Theme

"Bill Doolin" by Jennifer Ewing, 6th grade, Pleasanton Elementary, Mrs. Ham's class Bill Doolin

Bill Doolin was this man's name.
He was born in Johnson County, Arkansas.
He was not one to stay tame.

He was definitely sharp as a tack.
A good arm he had; for him, shooting was a game.
His steady hands, speed they did not lack.

Doolin was known to be a mystery man.
He escaped with five other men's horses.
When all of the Dalton gang was dead, he started his own clan.

Bill Doolin married Edith Ellsworth in 1893.
She made the promise to love him forever.
What a talent they had together, wouldn't you agree.

He was famous for his good aim.
No one seemed to be able to out shoot him.
His perfect shooting brought him great fame.

Though he was a good shooter, he was shot in the foot at a public shootout.
He ran with his wife to Oklahoma and took care of his wound.
Afterwards, Doolin fled to New Mexico to hide out.

There was a duel against U.S. Marshall Deputy Heck Thomas.
Heck Thomas won this mighty fight; he killed Bill with a shotgun.
With this, a reward was given to Thomas as promised.

When Bill died he was only 58, what a shame.
I must admit I do feel bad because of his painful death.
Doolin's wife was now a widow without claim.

After Doolin died, many years later a video game was made about his life.
He received rewards for his high talent and good aim.
In this game, there was no mention of his wife.

Read More Kids Poetry From Past Years