Views from the Saddle: Vol. II: 2

A letter from Ann Twist

Ray has been writing poetry for many years, but started writing more in l998, after I retired and had time to type them up for him. It has been a hobby that we both have enjoyed and loved to share with our family and friends.

I refer to Ray as my poem machine. He seldom misses a day writing at least one and many times as many as three. It's been such a joy to share them. For many years, before he retired , he would write just occasionally.

When our grandchildren were small, and would come to spend some time with us, he would always leave a poem for them on the table when he left for work. They always enjoyed his little stories that rhymed. Our dream is to publish a children's book.

We have enjoyed compiling and sharing them. My favorite are his spiritual, but, he has some wonderful western ones. Notice that he has some written, including some cow-boys that he has named Randy, Rusty, Lefty and Slim. We do hope that you will enjoy the ones we have put together for you.

God Bless You and Your families.
Ann Twist (B. 1926 D 2011)

Ray A. Twist This year in 2013, he is publishing selections from his vast collection of poetry in two volumes, called Views from the Saddle a Texas cowboy's life in poetry Vol I and Vol II. Married 64 years to Annie Twist, who was the love of his life; Annie saw her last sunset in March of 2011. She compiled his poems into typed manuscripts with high hopes that he would have them published. She expressed this as one of her last wishes to him. Ray was born in 1921, and is an Army WWII veteran, who was in charge of a tank command in the 1St Armored Division. Some of his poetry reflects the many emotions and feelings brought on by a war. In the military he enjoyed long distance running and boxing, in his free time. He was a farm hand early in his life, picking cotton, working cattle and horses. In that, he is very knowledgeable. Ray owned a ranch next to the King Ranch for many years, later selling his herd to them. Included were Santa Gertrudis and Brahma cattle. He retired from Celanese in 1984, receiving praise and honorable mention, for his work ethics in instrumentation and automation. Ray A. Twist was also a member of The Texas Calvary, at age 17, which disbanded at the start of WWII. Currently he still writes poetry and is in good health. He plans to live a long life, as his Cherokee father, and Irish mother did. Natalie Ridener Natalie Ridener, is a poet and creator of The Poetry Café. She recognized good poetry in Ray Twist's work and had been an agent to help him get published. "Simply put and understandable by everyone" is her description of his cowboy poetry. Ray gives us an insight into a long life, in a direct and sometimes humorous way. Being older is not as bad as some might think, in Ray's eyes. He remains "young at heart, and loves his faithful dog, Rocky.