Social Studies Poem

Introduction

I remember being in second grade having to do a report on Nat Love.  The report inspired me to find out about other black cowboys who happen to be mentioned in this poem.  Before reading the poem, discuss the contributions of those black cowboys featured in this poem.

Bronze Cowboys

When bison roamed the wild wild West

Dark riders rode the Pony Express

Over the mountains, across the plains,

Past coyotes, bobcats, and wagon trains.

Bronze cowboys rode in cattle drives

Where deserts met the turquoise skies.

They busted broncos and bulldogged steer,

Made peace with the Indians and showed no fear.

A mail carrier named Stagecoach Mary

Fought out wolves on the lonesome prairie.

Nat Love was the surest shot in the land.

Bill Pickett was known as a mean cowhand.

Around the campfire, they strummed guitars,

imagined they could lasso stars.

                                         Carole Boston Weatherford

Extension

Have children prepare research on black cowboys and create pictures of these pioneers.  Encourage children to base their pictures on some aspect of their research (example, competing in a competition)