A few men and women of means
Kept all-age field trials alive
Through depressions recessions and wars
Helped by trainers in love with the game
Since 1874 Read more
A Few of Means
Category: Poetry
Old Handler’s Prayer
Oh, please give me a puppy
Can cast to the rim
Of the biggest pasture
In South Alabama
Oh, please give me a derby
Will go to the limits
Of its hearing
Then come back alookin’ for me Read more
Smells We Don’t Forget
There are smells from childhood
We remember into old age
A favorite of mine is from age six
When I sat on my father’s lap
Behind Maud and Bird
Our team of Belgian mares Read more
If You Care Too Much
If you care too much
That the bird falls dead
You’ve missed the point
Of the hunt my friend
It’s not about
What’s in your bag
Or hard shots made
On which you’ll brag
Read more
Turn ‘em Loose
The senior judge
Six feet four
Sits astride his mount
Watches two black scouts
Lead up two pointers
Kneel beside them
Stroke their backs
Whisper in their ears Read more
Thanksgiving Mornings ~ Spices for Farmers
Thanksgiving Mornings
Had special meaning
For me
In my childhood
My father and I rose early
After breakfast of shredded wheat
With sliced bananas
Topped with thick cream
From the neck
Of a glass quart bottle
Of Mr. Gardner’s
Unpasteurized unhomogenized milk Read more
Talkin’ to my Scout Horse
Whoa, Dan
My boot’s in the stirrup
Whoa Dan,
There goes our dog
Whoa, Dan
I spur him lightly
Rein him right slightly
He sees our dog Read more
Growing Our Own
Growing our own
Was vital to life
When I was young
But now lost in the fog
Of history
Like “putting up”
Meaning planting picking then
Shucking shelling snapping
And canning Read more
The Sweetest Sound
What is your favorite sound?
Mine comes each winter dawn
At a special place
Tom Baker Senior found
After battles gainst Japan Read more
Perfect Race
Have you ever handled
A perfect race?
One where your dog goes
To every bird-blessed place
Where the front’s
All he wants to seek
And he reaches for it
In one constant sweep Read more