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.
While sitting at my desk one night, I yawned and stretched a bit.
The clock said half past midnight. Still my room was dimly lit.
I closed my eyes, against sleep’s will. The Sandman passed me by.
Or was his aim a smidgen off? No sand in either eye.
I climbed out of my easy chair. Sure, easy getting in.
But climbing out past midnight, chalk yourself up for the win.
I shuffled all around the room, a tired and worn-out gait.
And hoped the Sandman would return to cure my sleepless fate.
I’d shuffled to a corner, where I reached out with my hand.
I felt the leather of a saddle cinched down on its stand.
I recognized the saddle. It was older than four score.
And hadn’t sat a cowboy for some fifty years or more.
In my sleepless, groggy state I heard my saddle say,
“I’d like it if I’m put to use. Please set me free today.”
Next morning, right at breakfast, gobbling down a cheese omelet.
I asked my wife to sell the saddle on the internet.
My wife is trained tech savvy, where I’ve never had a clue.
And she knows for me to sell the saddle might be stressful too.
It only took a minute, got a buyer on the line.
She asked me if I Venmo. I told her that was fine.
She claimed to send the money, but to upgrade my account,
she would need to send more money, mine took only large amounts.
She said she sent two hundred more. And just to make it right,
I’d need to pay her back when she picked the saddle up that night.
My Venmo showed no money, promptly told her to get lost.
She was trying to scam my cash and didn’t care about my cost.
My cell phone finally made a beep. One more offer for the night.
She offered me two fifty. Said she’d get here by daylight.
So, she purchased my old saddle and was honest as they came.
Compared to the first buyer, the two were not the same.
I never had been scammed but still I trust more than a few.
‘Cuz the silent and the honest always seem to pull it through.
My old time saddle found a home and would work a daily task.
But did it talk to its new owner. Don’t believe I’ll ever ask.