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The Need
| Corner Pub #2 |
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The Need |
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SPIRIT Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745California Desert |
The Need My man and I settled for life in the West, To farm the land, was what we thought, was the best. We built a house that sat on side of a hill Met friendly neighbors and we all live there still. We have some pigs, chickens, horses, a few goats We grow beans and corn, taters, wheat and some oats. But in the back behind a wall made of stone Is the reason I never stray far from home. Two little graves for our daughter and our son, Lost to a fever in eighteen ninety one. I could bear no more, so lonesome was our plight, When the precious children died… gone was our light. In church the pastor spoke ‘bout an orphan train And we went to meet it… in the pouring rain. We would look for a child, we could call our own To put smiles and laughter in our childless home. My man wanted, for help with chores, a strong boy, I just wanted a child to give us back joy. I saw me a boy, puny, just around ten, In his tired arms, a girl babe, his to defend ‘I ain’t going nowhere without Hannah May, If you wants me, then she’ll also have to stay.’ I tugged at Hugh’s sleeve, my eyes were filled with tears, ‘These are our children, to love throughout the years, I won’t leave here, leaving these children behind,’ He looked at me like I was mad, lost my mind, I’d made up my mind, that’s all there was too it, He just sighed, no noise from his lips did emit. It’s been nigh on twenty years, our children grown, They made this sad house a very happy home. The best thing we ever did, my Hugh and me, Was to add these children to our family tree. |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
A haunting story Spirit. It is nice to have you back again. I have been away and came back to find you. I am so glad. Love, Joyce |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
SPIRIT: I've read several books about the orphan train children. You have made that era come to life and I wish all those children had found people like the ones in your poem! Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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Beasley Senior Member
since 2003-11-28
Posts 682Cheboygan,MI USA |
A very touching poem. Barb |
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SPIRIT Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745California Desert |
Thank you - Charles Brace who started the program certainly did his best and supposedly something like 85% were successful and caring adoptions. He was basically, the starter of the foster care programs, I guess. |
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