The Cowboy Cantos - Cowboy Poetry & Stories

The Mahjong Cowboy

A fractured kneecap put me on the sidelines and forced me to slow down for the first time in a long while. What followed was an unexpected journey that took me far from the trails I was used to traveling and into a world I never thought I’d explore. In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, I share a lighthearted tale about setbacks, surprises, and the strange places life can lead when our plans are suddenly changed. Sometimes the trail you didn’t choose turns out to be worth the ride. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cowboycantos.substack.com [https://cowboycantos.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Guilt of Thor

In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, Jason Curtman shares a humorous and heartfelt country story inspired by a real visit to his Uncle Lewis Wall’s farm outside Iberia, Missouri. What began as an ordinary afternoon stop quickly turned into a front-porch mystery involving a pile of turkey feathers, a nearby turkey farm, and one very suspicious shaggy black dog named Thor. With Uncle Lewis Wall calmly overseeing the situation from his porch swing, it only took a single feather to uncover the truth… and Thor’s reaction said far more than words ever could. This story did indeed happen, and like many good country memories, it has lived on for years through laughter, storytelling, and family recollections. Blending rural humor, vivid storytelling, and the kind of honest moments only found in the country, this Cowboy Cantos tale captures the charm of old farms, gravel roads, and unforgettable personalities. Sometimes the loudest confession comes without a single bark. And friends, before I ride on out of here… My Uncle Lewis Wall was the one who really seeded the interest in poetry for me. I don’t think he’d ever heard the term “cowboy poet,” and truthfully, I don’t think he would’ve considered himself one anyway… mostly on account of where he lived. He probably would’ve been closer to what folks might call a hillbilly poet in that sense. We used to sit there in his living room at the old farm outside Iberia, swapping country stories and poetry back and forth for hours at a time. And I’ll tell you honestly… I sure do miss him. Until next time, remember to cinch your saddle tight and ride clean. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cowboycantos.substack.com [https://cowboycantos.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

GRANDMA NEVER SHARED HER PIE

In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, Jason Curtman shares a humorous and heartfelt small-town tale about a grandmother whose famous pies became the stuff of family legend. For years, nobody, not friends, not neighbors, not even family, ever managed to get a slice. The mystery only deepened with every holiday gathering, every locked pantry door, and every unanswered question. Inspired in part by old country stories and memories from simpler times, this piece blends humor, nostalgia, family folklore, and a touch of backwoods mystery into a classic front-porch-style storytelling poem. If you’ve ever had a relative with a secret recipe, or a secret they never quite explained, this story may feel strangely familiar. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cowboycantos.substack.com [https://cowboycantos.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Somersaults In The Mud

What started as a simple trip to Family Dollar turned into a full-scale backyard wreck involving leashes, mud, bruised pride, and a cat that appeared at exactly the wrong moment. In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, Jason Curtman shares the true story behind an unexpected January “stampede” that left him rolling through the mud and reconsidering a few life decisions along the way. It’s a fast-moving cowboy tale filled with humor, hard landings, loyal dogs, and the kind of laughter that only comes after the bruises fade. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cowboycantos.substack.com [https://cowboycantos.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Horseradish Hank

In this episode of Cowboy Cantos, Jason Curtman shares a personal confession about those dangerous little red peppers hiding in Kung Pao chicken... and how they reminded him of a cowboy he once knew named Horseradish Hank. Hank had a love affair with horseradish that bordered somewhere between dedication and self-destruction. He put it on roast beef, biscuits, popcorn, pie, banana bread, and just about anything else that sat still long enough. The problem was... Hank couldn’t actually handle the heat. What follows is a humorous cowboy poem turned country comedy song about spicy food, bad judgment, watery eyes, stubborn pride, and the strange human tendency to keep going back for more punishment even when we know better. Filled with western humor, colorful food imagery, and fast two-step energy, this tale rides somewhere between cowboy poetry and old-time dancehall comedy. Best enjoyed with a grin, a cold drink nearby, and maybe a little caution around the peppers. Remember to keep your saddle cinched, ride clean, and go easy on the peppers. For more cowboy poetry and stories, visit CowboyCantos.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cowboycantos.substack.com [https://cowboycantos.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]