Winter Drive

I remember a drive in the dead of winter
pulling down the 16th section
my amazement at the cold
overshadowed by the indifference of the hired hands
and the reticence of the cowponies

Bunching the cattle put purpose in our movement
my mind began to thaw but I was on drag
it was a slow ride to the pens
with numb fingers on stiff reins
I did my job coaxing the stragglers

When last one through I dismounted to close the gate
I remember how my feet stung when they hit the ground