Working Ranch Magazine January/February 2025

The Corrals Stand Quiet

The cattle liner with the last cull cows disappears down the road. Old trucks leave in a swirl of dust. Just in time, for the weather’s supposed to change. There’s a coolness in the air, the fall wind blows through with a gust. In the tack room, the wood stove is lit. Drinks in hand, The crew gathers ‘round, Swapping yarns about the season gone by. Sharing stories and knowledge profound. And the corrals stand quiet again. No bawling of calves looking for mom, no rattle and bang of old chutes. The time is near to put up the straw hat, slip on the cold weather boots. Creaking of doors on trailers and trucks, stamping of horses in the barn. Pop of the whip and slam of the gate For now, all are gone. The corrals stand quiet again. The wooden gates hang, sagging and bowed. Ready for a long winter sleep. Rain and snow will do their work. Rust, into hinges, will creep. When the grass comes green, hammers and drills will be heard as the gates are lifted, straightened and fixed. Ready to do their job once again,

POEM BY TRAVIS EKLUND

making sure cattle remain unmixed. But for now, the corrals stand quiet. In a few months the corrals will be full again sorting calves from cows. Taking care of the animals we’re blessed with, doing all the work the good weather allows. Once again voices will be heard, calling out instructions or teasing with jokes. Work done by men and women, family and friends, the very best of folks. But for now, the corrals stand quiet.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

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