Western Words - Cowboy Poets of Utah hold annual symposium

Paul Bliss is a nationally renowned, award-winning poet. But he doesn’t spell corn with an “o.” “I spell ‘corn,’ c-a-r-n,” he said. “I can tell you more about cattle than I can about poetry.” The rancher from Salem is one of the founding members of the Cowboy Poets of Utah (CPU), who gathered Saturday in Payson for their annual symposium. About 40 ranchers from throughout the state come together to plan for the year, make goals and, of course, perform their poetry. “Cowboy poetry has its roots in the 1800s,” said CPU secretary Marleen Bussma. “Cowboys were out on the range, herding cattle all day and entertaining each other by night telling stories. Somewhere along the line, they discovered that if they used rhyme they could remember stories better.” Lt. Bill Wright of Payson Police serves as the president of the CPU, and is involved in the CPU through his Western music. Both law enforcement officers, he and musician Kevin Elmer make up the Frontier Marshalls, a western music duo. Wright said he belongs to the CPU because of its values. “It’s our American heritage and keeps alive our history,” he said. “Western music tells a story of our values and hard times as well as good times.” Wright also says western music isn’t the same as country music...more