What’s That Smell? In the 1930s, during the great depression, a roaring lion had entered the scene in the form of abject poverty. The poverty of the Great Depression devoured families one by one. One day they had plenty, but now, they could barely afford one meal a day.In Texas and Auburn, the discovery of…
Mothers Story
What’s That Smell?In the 1930s, the great depression was in full swing, but the Wellston school district was one of the richest in America. A 1930 oil find in Drake County had boosted the local economy, and educational spending grew with it. As a result, its taxable revenue had grown to $10million, with additional revenue…
Daddy’s Sunday Newspaper
On Sunday, my daddy used to get up lateEveryone in the houses breakfast had to wait No one can eat before our dadWe didn’t mind. It wasn’t that bad It was the one day he could relaxFrom six grueling days of lumber stacks Daddy was a carpenter. He was skilledAt his tradeWith fourteen mouths to…
Sister
As a teenager in high school The time in your life when everything’s supposed to be cool I learned more lessons from living with my oldest sister Then, I ever learned in school by listening to the Mister A young mother without the help of a man She worked and made a living; she had…
Smile
What put that smile on your face A memory of another time and place Put all hasty negative words away Close your mouth and keep them at bay Your words and thoughts belong to you So, watch what you say and what you do Look hard to find something good It will bring you peace…
Don’t Waste A Day
the air is cool and crispBlond hair escaping just a whisp Galloping along on a purebred horseOn a dirt trail, no particular course Escaping your usual normRiding away to silently mourn All the bubbling words in the airSpoken radically, no thought or care Galloping along toward colorful fieldsWildflowers overflowing with a vibrant yield Every color…
Under the Willow Tree
The old willows limbs gently sway in the breezeSmall children playing underneath doing as we pleased Making mud pies in old tin cansWaiting to be eaten by unsuspecting fans Mom never had to worry or wonder where we’d beShe knew our favorite hangout was underneath that willow tree There were no scarier words ever spoken,…
Lazy June Bug Night
Watching June bugs on a warm summer nightThey hit the window pane as they dance to the lighton a lazy June bug night They’ll flap two sets of sturdy wingsAs you quietly rock on your front porch swingListening to the music of their flapping wings singWhat a lazy June bug night she wears herself out…
Buckaroo or Cowpuncher
On a late spring morning in West Texasriding through pasture overgrown with brush Cowpunchers pushed a calf into a clearing.The calf will need to be roping if it is a yearling. The Cowboy throws a loop around the yearling’s neck, and it will mourn. The calf cannot escape the rope tied to the Cowboys saddle…
Cowpokes
Trail driving was grueling for the CowboyNot all marshmallows and campfire stories A Cowboys friends were fewUnless you counted the smelly Moo’s They never slept very SoundThe Cows were up and down you are up before dawnWith Cowboy wear on Snaps and plaid shirtsfull of holes and dirt Day after dayThe same cowpoke way To…