Through poetry, music, craft, and conversation, we celebrate and amplify the voices, traditions, and stories of the American West.
Some things are easier to say in a song or a poem than they are in conversation. Music and poetry give shape to what lives in the heart and soul, helping us put words to what might otherwise remain unsaid and helping us connect to one another. This month, our cowboy poets share the poems that speak most deeply to them as they answer this question posed by Heart & Soul, “What is the one poem that bares your soul? The one that says something you might not otherwise know how to say?”
Sometimes writing a cowboy poem comes “like it was delivered via a magic carpet,” but other times the writing drags on and on for months or years. This month, the cowboy poets talk about the time it takes them to write poems as they answer this question posed by The Deadline Drifter, “What was the quickest poem you ever wrote? Which one took the longest, and how long did it take to finish?”
Rodeo season is in full swing. And while not every cowboy poet rodeos, the feats that take place in arenas across time and space have inspired this bunch of cowboy poets to reminisce on their various rodeo experiences. Whether in the announcer’s booth, in the grandstands, or on a bull, the cowboy poets have stories to tell in rhyme and meter as they answer this month’s question, “Have you ever rodeoed? If so, did the experience inspire a poem? (Or, do you have a favorite rodeo poem?)”
After more than a decade of welcoming members, supporting the Gathering, and helping steward the mission of the Western Folklife Center, Development Manager & Membership Director Carolyn Trainor is retiring. Read more about Carolyn’s deep commitment to the stories and communities of the American West, and the kindness and care she brought to every part of her work.
Jordan Wright helped shape the last three Gatherings through food, friendship, and thoughtful creativity. A beloved member of the Elko community, Jordan brought people together everywhere he went, leaving behind laughter, connection, and a lasting mark on all of us.
Photos by Jessica Brandi Lifland, Marla Aufmuth, and Ian Hallagan
For almost 11 years, Marianne Molland was the Programs Administrator for the Western Folklife Center. She left last December for a new job as a 911 Call Taker, but she came back a few months later to take on the role of Membership Director & Development Manager. In this Q&A, we talk to Marianne about her change in jobs, in roles, and what brought her back to the Folklife Center family.