Poems & lyrics celebrating Kansas Flint Hills land & people by Annie Wilson – the “Flint Hills Balladeer” Runaway Nell
The cowboys finished workin’ calves down by the west corral. “Somebody has to ride Nell home,” old Windy hinted loud. He looked at me and I piped up,“I’ll ride her home, for sure!” At ten years old I’d finally earned the trust to help that crew.
He said,“I’ll need my saddle. Can you ride her bareback home?” I said, “You bet,” they helped me up, we started down the road. Nell had just seemed tired at first and started out real slow, but once we got around the curve, then she began to go.
They said: She’s no kid horse, but you’ll be fine. Just let her trot and hold on tight.You’re old enough to go alone. It ain’t too far; ride Nellie home.
Her trottin’ speeded up until it shook me like a sack. My sixty pounds were nothing - like a fly upon her back. My legs were just too short to grip; I bounced from side to side, then grabbed more handfuls of her mane and tried to hold on tight.
Her hoof beats drummed the hollow bridge. We started up the hill, and though she moved at quite a clip, I hung onto her still. Once we passed the hilltop, she broke into a run. She was glad her work was over, headin’ home to have some fun.
Her feet were solid thunder; those trees were whippin’ by. The wind was tearin’ at my hair. I thought: she’s gonna fly! Then everything became a blur; I knew I’d lost control.And as she made the driveway turn, I felt myself let go.
Those rocks gave me a beatin’ when I landed hard and rolled. But once I stopped, I realized: I’d almost made it home! I walked on up the driveway and let Nell in through her gate, slipped off her sweaty bridle, let her roll and eat some hay.
I never told about my fall and hoped no one had seen. I changed out of my torn-up shirt and washed ‘til I was clean. No one ever asked me ‘bout my bruises and my nicks. They just knew I’d rode Nell home - and got there mighty quick!
Hear this song for free at tallgrassexpress.com/runaway-nell. Contact Annie at tallgrassexpress.com/contact.
