Bryce Angell is a cowboy poet. Angell was raised on a farm/ranch in the St. Anthony, Idaho area with approximately 75 head of horses. Horses remain an important part of Angell’s life.
Angell shares his poetry with Cache Valley Daily every Friday.
I checked him in to room eighteen. His name now on the door. A stroke had left his right side paralyzed from neck to floor.
They say he’d been a top cowhand with sheep thrown in to boot. This old man’s life was pure cowboy, dug in at every root.
There, sitting by the cowboy’s side, his wife of sixty years. She cupped his hand so gently. Seemed to calm her sweetheart’s fears.
The cowboy looked up to his wife, attempted half a smile. Then muttered, “I sure love you. Will I be here for a while?”
His wife said, “This could be our home. I’ll be here by your side. ‘Cuz you ain’t gettin’ rid of me. Can’t shake off this old hide.”
The old man kinda chuckled. She was more than just a prize. He didn’t have to speak of love. I saw it in his eyes.
His thoughtful wife reminded him, “We’ve been through times before. Remember when the baler chopped your toe and left you four?
“And don’t forget about the time when Blue was just a colt. He stomped you good and plenty ‘fore you even grabbed a holt.”
Then I noticed hesitation in this gentle woman’s tone. She said, “We lost our oldest. Through it all we weren’t alone.
“Our God was there attendin’ us to mend our broken heart. I think it’s time to call on him. Might be the time to start.”
Her voice was calm and then she said, “We’ve thanked him every day. But never asked our God to give us help in any way.”
She cried, “I know he listens and tonight we’ll call on him. Just knowin’ that he’s out there makes a body not so grim.”
I listened so intently to this tender woman’s plight. For once I knew that God would help this couple through the night.
Throughout the years, I’ve learned that science leads the way to heal. I’ve witnessed with success of how it’s proven and it’s real.
But that day I learned a lesson and it shows I don’t know much. ‘Cuz there’s a better way than medicine. It’s called the Master’s touch.