She Speaks to Me: Western Women’s View of the West Through Poetry and Song

In this collection are the poems of cowgirl poets who are regulars at the numerous state, local, and national cowboy poetry gatherings that happen throughout the year. There are a few songwriters as well--after all, their songs are simply poetry set to music. Some of the poets have never been published and were shy about being included but the true poet is always, just under the surface, eager to have her voice heard. Why else would she go to the trouble? The poets and songwriters featured here were quick to respond to the invitation to be included. In "true Western fashion", they saddled their fast ponies and galloped in with their poetry and lyrics for your enjoyment. Gifted photographer Robin L. Green chose the captivating photographs to accompany these lovely verses and songs. She captures the stark, lush, brutal, gentle and ever-changing western landscape and the creatures that inhabit it (including intrepid humans) in all sorts of weather--harsh or gentle--like no other.

Jill Charlotte Stanford considers herself the luckiest person in the world. Growing up admiring from afar in the fifth row of the darkened Princess Theater in Edmonds, Washington, a box of Malt Balls slowly melting in her hot little fist, cowgirls like Dale Evans and others certainly shaped her dreams and her future. She never dreamed, then, that she would grow up and someday meet and write about real cowgirls. From her first book to this one, her circle has grown to include ranchers, trick riders, horse trainers and breeders and now, poets and songwriters that write of the West. They have all proven to be women of resourcefulness, courage, humility, great humor and a generous spirit. A little girl wearing small, red cowboy boots came up to Jill at a book signing not too long ago. Eying her fringed jacket and looking her square in the eye, (in true cowgirl fashion, ) she asked, ＂Are you a real cowgirl?＂ Jill looked her back, square in the eye, and replied, ＂I sure hope so!＂ About the Photographer Self-taught photographer Robin L. Green lives in Ellensburg Washington, with her Jack Russell, Jasper, and her Bay Mare. Considering herself much more intuitive than technical, she is drawn to her subjects as more of a casual observer than choreographer. She makes her living photographing a wide range of people and animals, senior portraits and unforgettable wedding albums. But Western backdrops are still, after many years, her favorite ＂subject＂ to shoot, For Robin, photography is an expression of thought and an interpretation of what she sees. ＂It is a blessing and a gift to see light and composition in even the most ordinary situations and capturing it is a way to hold onto it whereas we might not otherwise.＂ You can find Robin’s work on Facebook under Robin L Photography. Her website is www.thebaymare.com.