Baxter Black was a cowboy poet who published many books and appeared as a commentator on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition.”
- Died: June 10, 2022 (Who else died on June 10?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Benson, Arizona at the age of 77.
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Cowboy poet
Black was a large animal veterinarian before he became national known as a poet, working with animals for more than a decade. In the early 1980s, his folksy, sometimes funny writing began gaining attention, starting with his first published poetry collection, 1980’s “The Cowboy and His Dog: or, ‘Go Git in the Pickup!’” A 1988 poem written while wildfires raged in Yellowstone National Park was picked up by NPR, adding to Black’s widespread recognition. He appeared several times on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and continued publishing books of his poetry and fiction. In 2002, Black joined “Morning Edition” as a regular commentator. He hosted the radio program “Baxter Black on Monday” and wrote the syndicated newspaper column “On the Edge of Common Sense.”
Black’s poetry
“And the Rockies have shoulders like granite
They’re big and they make their own rules
So take what you need but you better pay heed
‘Cause the mountain don’t tolerate fools” —from his poem “The West”
Tributes to Baxter Black
Full obituary: Ag Daily
