The Cowboy Cantos - Cowboy Poetry & Stories

In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, Jason Curtman shares a lighthearted cowboy poem inspired by a simple family memory: banana pudding. What begins as a conversation with his mama about comfort food turns into a Western‑style tall tale of two brothers, a dusty trail, and a legendary dessert drought. Thanks for reading The Cowboy Cantos! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Th...

Back in 1946, you could go to the county fair and see an unusual bird that defied all expectations. Folks gathered for bronc rides, quilts, and pie, but what they witnessed was no ordinary rooster. This was Mike the Headless Chicken - a bird that survived the farmer’s axe, strutted on without a noggin, and became a living marvel that baffled scientists and delighted crowds across the country. Thro...

In this episode, Jason shares the story behind a recent Facebook profile picture that sparked a surprising compliment: “The older you get, the more handsome you become.” That simple line stuck like a burr in his saddle and got him pondering the passage of time, the stories etched into a weathered face, and the common belief that people lose their looks as they get older. Jason challenges that idea...

In this episode of Cowboy Cantos , Jason Curtman shares a heartfelt cowboy prayer that blends grit, faith, and longing. It’s the story of a ranch hand with patched jeans, stomped hat, and all, laying his hopes before the Lord as he seeks love and companionship. Through simple words and honest faith, we’re reminded that even the roughest hands can carry the gentlest dreams. A Cowboy’s Prayer To Cou...

In this episode of Cowboy Cantos , Jason Curtman spins the hilarious legend of Chuck, a cowboy whose tall tales were always betrayed by his loyal Blue Heeler, Biscuit. Every time Chuck stretched the truth, Biscuit’s grin gave him away—turning fibs into punchlines and making the bunkhouse roar with laughter. From fence‑mending exaggerations to poker night bluffs, fishing stories, and even romance c...

Out here on the frontier of memory, history still rides beside us. This episode of Cowboy Cantos honors William “Bill” Pool of Missouri — a man whose life stretches across two centuries, binding the muskets of the Civil War to the tanks of World War II. Bill Pool was born in 1925, the son of Charles Parker Pool, a Union soldier who fought and bled in the Civil War. Charles lived long enough to fat...

Now Brother John went with his family in tow,With Miss Allie beside him, all quiet and slow. They’d head into town in their Good Sunday best,With Uncle Jack trailin’ and Aunt Erm well-dressed. They’d find them a booth at the diner just right,Where the coffee was strong and the biscuits were light. They’d order up breakfast, no fuss and no flair,Some biscuits and gravy and two extra chairs. John no...

This Thanksgiving, Cowboy Cantos takes a detour from the dusty trail into the kitchen. Jason Curtman shares the tale of a ranch hand asked to carve the holiday turkey — only to discover that carving a bird can be wilder than breaking a bronc. From ragged slabs to sideways drumsticks, this cowboy’s first cut at Thanksgiving turns into a family tradition no one will forget. Drumsticks And Disaster ©...

Well, Slim rode in from the sagebrush,His hair blowin’ wild in the wind,He said, “Boys, I need me a trimmin’,Or I’ll look like a tumbleweed’s kin.” The barber was laid up and useless,His shop had a “Closed” on the door,So Slim found himself in a beauty hall,With powders and perfumes galore. The parlor was busy with chatter,They said, “Honey, we’ll spruce up your look!”He asked for a haircut, plain...

In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, Jason takes us on a poetic ride through time, from the days of wall-mounted phones and party lines to the bewildering world of talking tiles and tech that tracks your every step. With humor, heart, and a healthy dose of cowboy grit, Jason reflects on what we’ve gained and what we’ve lost when we traded cords for swipes. The Wall Phone Was Enough From Clickety-Clac...

In this heartfelt and humorous episode, host Jason Curtman shares a true story from his own family history. It’s the tale of young Dolores, his maternal grandmother, who at just five years old took an unforgettable plunge into a barrel of molasses. Set inside a rustic prairie kitchen with a view of the open fields, this poetic retelling captures the charm, grit, and gooey misfortune of a childhood...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Cowboy Cantos , Jason Curtman shares a true tale from his family’s past, wrapped in rhyme and rich with character. “No Gravy for John” recounts a humorous moment involving his great-grandfather, Brother John Britton—a beloved preacher with quiet wisdom—and a mischievous mutt with a taste for trouble. Originally featured in Missions In The Mountains by Mrs. H.W....