The inspiration for  "The Prodigal Cowboy":

I used to have the worst case of the ugly kind of “cowboy pride” that anybody could ever have. In my case, I found that the cowboy way can get perverted and ugly if left unchecked. On the other hand, the cowboy way can be Godly, honorable, enviable and awesome. This poem is a product of my own reflections and observations over the years in that regard. This poem is not about anyone in particular.

The Prodigal Cowboy

My Dad owned a ranch on the breaks of the Snake

With cows on a hundred hills

I had an inheritance much more than I knew

And Dad was payin’ the bills

But I just couldn’t stand not to be in control

I wanted to run wild and free

The lessons I’d learned how to stay in the middle

Were too straight and narrow for me

So I went to my Dad and demanded my share

With a heavy heart he bade me go

I cut all the strings and I took everything

I was off to the world’s rodeo

A new pick-em up truck

With cab lights and all

A big diesel engine

And “Onstar” on call

A brand new horse trailer

To haul the ol’ mare

I’d win the world

With aces to spare

I sure did look fine in that black hat of mine

I’d be “top of the heap” I was certain

In my vest and my spurs, with “old pride” and some “Coors”

And no thoughts for the folks I’d be hurtin’

I knew what to do… I would spend and make money

As I rose to the “top of the heap”

I would rope it or ride it and what’s even more

I could do it without any sleep

So I wallowed around near the top of the world

On the hump of that ol’ “cowboy pride”

“Like spit’n int’a the wind” my Dad always said

“Pride’s a horse that a man should not ride”

When I spent all the anti and couldn’t ride pride

All the wrong ways I knew I had turned

Sick and ashamed I longed to go home

Though my bridges I thought I had burned

But…I spit out my chew and I swallowed my pride

Or maybe ‘twas just the reverse

I can tell you for sure whatever I swallowed

The effects could not have been worse

When I showed at the ranch on that cold Sunday morn’

I knew I must look like sin

But you reap what you sow… so I gritted my teeth

My crop was fast comin’ in

I thought if my Dad would even consider

All winter I would work feedin’ hay

Maybe ‘till spring and the calvin’ was done

Then he’d surely make me go away

But… Like the prodigal’s father in the Biblical story

My Dad also came on the run

With tears in his eyes he opened his arms

And then he said…”welcome home son”

As we talked and laughed late into the night

I knew then that Dad spoke it true…

“Love suffers long… it is not filled with pride

And always will be there for you”

“Our Fathers" ranch is on the heavenly breaks

"With cattle on a thousand hills"

We have an inheritance much more than we know

And Jesus has paid all the bills

© Byrl Keith Chadwell