Lloyd Dolen 1917 - 2004
Lloyd Dolen, considered by many to be the "Grandfather" of Alberta Cowboy Poetry, wrote and recited cowboy poetry throughout most of his adult life. Lloyd was one of the few who kept the tradition and art form alive in Canada before it became popular with the general public over the last twenty years.A cowboy through and through who loved horses, Lloyd was a cowboy poet with a difference. No one doubted he was the "real deal," but much of his poetry was based not only exclusively on cowboy themes, but on his faith, his great love for nature and the need for understanding and helping others. His sense of humour was never suppressed for long, as anyone can attest who ever heard his poem about the Panty Hose. Lloyd published two books of cowboy poetry and had just finished a CD of poetry shortly before his death. The following is from the introduction to his second book, written by one of Lloyd's grandchildren, "Lloyd Dolen possesses a unique and peaceful outlook of life: cherishing each day with the gifts and beauty it brings; taking the time to express his love and thanks to the land and everything that breathes and grows from it. Lloyd has a magic of touching people through his words and prayers; having no time to judge, he accepts things the way they are. Never thinking before giving to those in need, be this his family, friends, neighbors or a complete stranger. He is mentor to many and a teacher to those who will listen. Lloyd Dolen is indeed a living legend and, I'm proud to say, my grandfather." I can't say it any better.
From personal experience, Lloyd was all those things and more. As a newcomer
to cowboy poetry, he inspired and instructed me, sometimes with words, always
by example. Many others in the cowboy poetry fraternity had similar experiences.
Somehow, Lloyd, Norma, his wife of 59 years, and the whole family made each
person who came into their lives feel they were very special. Iven BryantPast
President Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association |
Lloyd Dolen's life was jammed full with humour, generosity and love. He was a revered cowboy poet and a legendary horse-trader."The first time I saw him," Norma Dolen recalled, "I was with some friends in the cafi, and this good looking cowboy jumped up on the pop machine and recited a Robert Service poem. I turned to my friends and said, he's not so much." Within the year they were married. Lloyd and Norma ranched north of Cochrane where they raised not only their own kids, but a passel of others as well. "You never knew how many to set the table for," Norma once told me. "Children got off the school bus with our kids that just never went home, and we loved them just as much." Along with cattle, Lloyd was in the horse business, achieving legendary status as a savvy horse trader. Lloyd and Norma had only been married for a few years, and at the Cochrane Fair Norma entered a raffle and won first prize: seven roan yearling colts. Lloyd really wanted these colts but times were hard and cash was scarce. While sharing lunch in the hayfield one day, he proposed a trade to Norma, a quiet horse for the kids - in exchange for the colts. Norma was wary, and asked him every question she could think of: age, size and breeding. When she asked if the horse was easy to catch, Lloyd replied that she could walk right up to that horse and put her hand on him. All the kids could ride him at the same time, and it was the quietest horse he'd ever owned. Satisfied that she was making a good trade, they shook hands and Norma went to see the kids' new horse. Stretched out behind the barn with a magpie on its head was the horse she had traded for, and he'd been dead a while. Lloyd's words returned to her; it certainly was the quietest horse he'd ever owned. A featured performer at every major gathering, it was his heartfelt poetry delivered in his weathered voice that swept up audiences, enveloping them in cool mountain meadows or the shimmering dust of a cattle drive. His simple honesty was an invitation to ride alongside him, and his crowds did in droves. And they delighted in his humour; the poem of Norma trying to fit into her first pair of pantyhose ("and that's when the damn things blew") was always greeted with explosive laughter and a standing ovation. As big of a success as he was on stage and in the corral, it was action, not talk that made the man. My husband, Rusty, and I sat with Lloyd and Norma at Bryn Thiessen's wedding. Their reception was a potluck dinner, and we all returned from the buffet table with loaded plates. Every once in a while Lloyd would slowly make his way up to the constantly replenished buffet, look it over and then return to his seat empty handed. On about his third trip, he carefully chose two devilled eggs. When my husband asked why he didn't get the eggs on his first trip Lloyd quietly replied, "Norma made these." That simple phrase defined a life of love. In the wee hours of January 10, 2004, legendary cowboy poet, Lloyd Dolen, peacefully slipped away. Terri Mason 2004 Feb |
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Lloyd Dolen A True Cowboy Legend by Frank Gleeson I got up this morning, the sun shining bright |
