COWBOY POETRY: A Gun for My Wife

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.

My wife declared, a while ago, “I’d like to have a gun.” I asked her, “Are you scared or do you want one just for fun?”

I told her she could use my guns whenever she’s alone. But she wanted something smaller, one that she could call her own.

I felt a gun would be okay. She’d been around a few. But what really made me wince was this: She wanted bullets, too!

So with some hesitation and a check book in my hand, I drove on down to Harold’s place. I knew he’d understand.

Well, Harold dealt with guns and gear. He recognized my plight. So he said, “Get her a gun today. You don’t, you’ve got a fight.”

I could see he wasn’t kidding, so I took one on the chin. Then I noticed a revolver that someone had traded in.

I asked to get a better look. He handed me the gun. A Smith and Wesson .38. My shopping day was done.

I paid the price. He wrapped it up with bullets, too, of course. I took it home and really hoped I’d never feel remorse.

I showed it to my wife, and now she had her own defense. We went out in the yard and nailed a target to the fence.

I thought I’d show my prowess. I knew how to shoot a gun. But when it came to handguns, my experience was none.

I aimed, then shot. Where did it go? I fired the second round. I missed the target and the fence. Ricocheted right off the ground.

I felt somewhat embarrassed. I’d proved I couldn’t shoot. But then, it was a handgun, so who really gives a hoot.

My wife reloaded. Then she aimed and fired a single shot. She waited and then fired five more. It seemed she knew a lot.

She never missed the target. She’d been shooting on the sly. Each bullet had been placed just right. Two hit the darn bull’s eye.

I guess I should be happy, since my wife was tickled pink. And life couldn’t get much better, ‘cuz I got that special wink.

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