Thermopolis - Cowboy poet Pete Davis, Riverton, will read his original cowboy poetry, at the Old West Wax Museum, Thermopolis, Tuesday, July 11, beginning at 6 p.m. and ending, as Davis says, "when he runs out of breath or people fall asleep, whichever comes first."

Davis, a retired Wyoming educator, took up writing and reciting cowboy poetry in the 1980s. He has performed at state parks, schools, family reunions, youth camps, county fairs "and pretty much anywhere else people will listen," he jokes.

Davis is listed in the International Society of Poets Hall of Fame. He received a Pride of Wyoming Award in both 1992 and 1996 for keeping alive old traditions and music. His work has also been included in national anthologies.

"I think people like cowboy poetry because it tells a story," he said. "What makes it fun is there are punch lines, and people think they've got it figured out -- that is, until you get to the end and there's a twist." All of Davis' material is original, and the performance will include pieces that will be preformed for the first time. "Recently I've been doing a lot about the weather," he said. "Cowboys were really concerned about it -- and you can see why, when they were always out in it."

The program is sponsored by the Wyoming Arts Council and Big Horn Basin Foundation. Admission is $2.