Excerpt from Don Brestler’s Poetry book for his wife, Ingrid.

Don Brestler was a rancher, artist, and community activist who lived in the Pincher Creek area. Born in Calgary, Brestler got involved with the local ranching and cowboy community early in his life, which became a lifelong passion and lifestyle. Brestler was a multitalented and self-taught artist, songwriter, poet, and writer. He wrote for many local Southern Alberta community papers and magazines. His artwork was also featured in several local publications. He wrote multiple books, stories, articles, poems, and other materials over the course of more than 50 years.

Don Brestler worked for the Calgary Police Service in the 1960s. His artworks were made into cards that friends and family, and his local community, received every Christmas. He was heavily involved in the local Church community and other community services in Pincher Creek and Twin Butte. He was the first musician to perform at the Cowboy Poetry in Canada in Pincher Creek and became a big supporter of other local artists and the freedom of music in Canada.

These poems can be used for language arts or art. It could be used as an auditory prompt for a descriptive writing assignment, a short story, or a drawing if the poems are read aloud. It could be used to spark discussion about reflection, depiction, composition, and expression.