Memories for Sale

I climb into the big haymow
On this eventful day
Looking for childhood memories
Trapped in a mound of hay.
The large expanse is empty now
And somehow looks too small
To have held all the busy times
Now sweet in my recall.

It took a lot of sweat to get
From hot hayfield to mow
And then some more to pitch hay down
To feed each horse and cow.
Horses and cattle all are gone
And Mama and Daddy too.
It's time for dealing with the past
And starting life anew.

Far from the eager buyers, I
Can hear the auctioneer
Selling off the treasures that
My mama held so dear.
Someone pays a handsome price
For her old butter churn.
It's days of usefulness are gone
And never will return.

I hear them coming, clamber down;
It's time to show the barn.
It will be moved, the very last
Of Dad and Mother's farm.
The land will go to buyers, who
Will break it into lots.
The only farming then will be
In little garden plots.

By: Joyce 6/6/05