THE OLD WOOD BARN

Some time ago I was asked to do up a picture collage of some family photos that progressed through the years depicting the family's growth and development. The family came from a farm in the midwest and all grew up working and playing in the old barn on the place. As time went on the farm was sold and the barn stood empty for a number of years until the new owners slated it for demolition. The family requested some of the wood from which to build some picture frames. I diligently set up the collage and forwarded the copies which were mounted in the frames and given to each family member. Just before the presentation, I was asked to come up with a poem, which I was honored to compose. The poem I present to you.

THE OLD WOOD BARN

IT BEGAN WITH TWO, A COUPLE WHO, WERE DETERMINED TO BEAT THE ODDS.
FRED ASKED JANE, WHO TOOK HIS NAME, AND THAT THRESHOLD THEY DID CROSS.

TO LIFE ON THE FARM, WITH THE OLD WOOD BARN, TO A WORLD OF HOPES AND DREAMS.
THE GOING WAS TOUGH AND DOWNRIGHT ROUGH, BUT CONTINUED 'NEATH THOSE BEAMS.

THE WINTER CAME, THEN SUN AND RAIN, THE LIVES THAT IT DID SAVE,
THROUGH WORK AND PLAY, THROUGH NIGHT AND DAY, THE SHELTER THAT IT GAVE.

THE CRIES AND GROANS, THE BROKEN BONES, NOT EVERYTHING WAS GOOD,
BUT TOOK IN STRIDE, WITH LOTS OF PRIDE, THE BARN ALL MADE OF WOOD.

BUT LIFE GOES ON, THE KIDS ARE GONE, THE BARN NOW EMPTY STANDS,
A SENTINAL, REMINDING ALL, WHAT HAPPENED ON THIS LAND.

AS IN ALL LIFE, FROM DAY TO NIGHT, NOTHING FOREVER LASTS,
BUT ALWAYS KNOW, THIS WOOD WILL SHOW, A PORTAL TO THE PAST.

TO DAYS GONE BY, AND MEMORIES HIGH, AND TIMES SO FREE FROM STRIFE,
YET LOOK FORWARD TO, THE FAMILY WHO, LIVES EVERLASTING LIFE.