[In an attempt to preserve the lineage and underpinning of much of today’s writing, Greg Flakus has produced a recording with material dating back to the turn of the century and before, by some of the best of the old-time buckaroo bards. Titled The Original Cowboy Poets, this collection includes original works of Charles Badger Clark, Howard “Jack” Thorpe, Bruce Kiskadon, Sharlot Hall, Arthur Chapman and, of course, the most prolific of them all – “Anonymous”.
The Original Cowboy Poets is available on CD and audio cassette and can be purchased through: CMH Record, Inc., PO Box 39439, Los Angeles, Ca 90039; (800)373-8073.
Included is a poem by Arthur Chapman written in 1916, called “Out Where The West Begins.”]


Out where the hand clasps a little stronger,
Out where the smile dwells a little longer,
That’s where the West begins.

Out where the sun’s a little brighter,
Where the snows that fall are a trifle whiter,
Where the bonds of home are a wee bit tighter,
That's where the West begins.

Out where the skies are a little bluer,
Out where friendship’s a little truer,
That’s where the West begins

Out where a fresher breeze is blowing,
Where there’s laughter in every stream that’s flowing,
Where there’s more of reaping and less of sowing,
That’s where the West begins.

Out where the world is in the making,
Where fewer hearts in despair are aching,
That’s where the West begins.

Where there’s more of singing and less of sighing,
Where there’s more of giving and less of buying,
And the man makes friends without half trying,
That’s where the West begins.

(Photography by Lynn Cox of Landmark Fine Art)