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Ohio lost a pretty good Cowboy this week. Butch Taft, owner of the Buckeye Rodeo Company made his final ride this past Monday following a trucking accident. Butch Taft gave me my first sanctioned Rodeo. I also had the Honor of calling his 6 year old grand-daughters’ first barrel race at the S Bar L Rodeo in Sugarcreek last year. But, nothing I can say would be better than this…..
I Know You’ll Miss This Man
by Baxter Black
The Lord spoke to the heavy hearts that stood with hats in hand
“Your sadness pains me deeply and I know you’ll miss this man.
But, it’s true what you’ve been hearing, Heaven is a real place.
That’s no small consolation, You should use that fact to face.
The emptiness his parting left that seeps into your bones
And draw on it to ease your pain, For he is not alone.
You see, all his friends are up here and all his loved ones, too,
‘Cause it wouldn’t be a heaven without each one of you.
And heaven for a Cowboy is just what you might expect,
It’s horses that need tunin’ up and heifers that need checked.
It’s long rides with a purpose and a code that lights the way
And a satisfying reason to get up every day.
It’s the ranch he’s always dreamed of and never knew he’d find.
And if you think about it, you can see it in your mind.
Him, leanin’ in the saddle with his ol’ hat on his head,
Contentment set upon his face like blankets on a bed.
The leather creaks a little as he shifts there in the seat.
The bit chains give a jingle when his pony switches feet.
And you somehow get the feelin’ that he’s sittin’ on a throne
A’gazin out on paradise just like it was his own.
I can promise you he’s happy, though I know you can’t pretend
You’re glad he made the journey, It’s too hard to comprehend.
The earthly way you look at things can never satisfy
Your lack of understanding for the answer to the ‘Why?’
So, I offer this small comfort to put your grief to rest,
I only take the top hands ‘cause my crew’s the very best.
And I know it might seem selfish to friends and next of kin
But I needed one more Cowboy and Billy fit right in.”
This poem was used with author permission granted by:
Coyote Cowboy Company
P.O. Box 2190
Benson, AZ 85602
(800) 654-2550
http://www.baxterblack.com/
