Today I’m reading you a poem by Altivo Overo, which first appeared in Civilized Beasts, volume II (Weasel Press, 2017,) and you can find more of his stories on Weasyl.

You’re listening to The Voice of Dog. I’m Khaki,

your faithful fireside companion,

and today I’m reading you a poem by Altivo Overo,

which first appeared in Civilized Beasts,

volume II (Weasel Press, 2017,)

and you can find more of his stories

on Weasyl. Please enjoy:

“Jack’ll Do”, a poem

by Altivo Overo Jack’ll Do (Cow-horse Poetry)

Some folks there is doesn’t like a gray:

“He looks like dust!” is what they’ll say.

“Reminds me of a dark November day.” But

Jack sez, “Charlie’ll do.”

When calves’re bawlin’ and cows’re mad,

And we’ve got to work for pay to be had,

Cuz brandin’ time is always bad: Ol’

Jack sez, “Charlie’ll do.”

The sun’s not up

and it starts to rain.

The cookfire sputters, cold beans again.

Bad coffee, stale biskit,

aught else to gain, Still

Jack sez, “Charlie’ll do.”

We’ve worked together nigh twenty year,

But I know with Jack I’ve naught to fear.

He counts on me and I know he’s near. He

allus sez “Charlie’ll do.”

When Cookie bakes fresh biskit or cake

An’ all them boys their shares’ll take,

Jack brings me some where I stand at stake. Ol’

Jack sez, “Charlie’ll do.”

So when the last long drive is o’er,

Them cows’re sold, the pay is shore,

An’ I stand at the Eternal Pasture’s door, For

a rider I say,

“Jack’ll do.” This was

“Jack’ll Do”, a poem by Altivo Overo,

read for you by Khaki,

your faithful fireside companion.

Thank you for listening

to The Voice of Dog.