Saturday, May 24, 2014

Dirt Farmer -- Play it Again


Dad was a dirt farmer

Dad was a dirt farmer, why am I not?
Straight was his favorite, more than a word
Planted crop rows must be aligned, no bends

Fences too had to be straight, post by post
And down the hill, bends would show, neighbors know
Do them over was his word, end up straight

Weeds to be cut, no spraying, kids 're home
Hoes were the tool, with them we walked the rows
Miss a weed he'd be on your tail, go back

All was that way on his farm. And the cows?
They had better line up straight in their rows
The horses too, just the pigs were sloppy

Dad wanted to be a lawyer, the best
Grandpa said no, I need help on the farm
So I became the lawyer, Dad's straight kind




 
Photos and Poem Copyright, © 2014 Jimmiehov, All Rights Reserved
 
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Though most of my poems are fiction with seemingly real events, this one is real and is a tribute to my dad who died in 2007.  He was a good farmer, I would not have been. (link)
 
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I'm linked today with Margaret at the Real Toads, Play it Again Challenge

Margaret wants us to go back to one of three older challenges, I chose "Challenge #2:  "Dirt Farmer" Imagined by Marian - HERE." In this challenge Marian wants us to write a response writing to the Band's 1980's (??) song, with Levon Helm, the drummer, singing "Poor old Dirt Farmer.
Listen to it below:


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18 Comments:

At Saturday, May 24, 2014 7:55:00 PM, Blogger Margaret said...

…so you were the lawyer. Loved the use of "straight" - it shows he must have been very orderly, honest, hard working. I'm off to see the link.

 
At Saturday, May 24, 2014 10:38:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow. The last stanza is powerful. It gave me chills. You painted a very clear picture of your experiences.

 
At Sunday, May 25, 2014 12:32:00 AM, Blogger brudberg said...

The expectations of fathers - not always met by their sons.. And farm is a commitment for generations.. Still operating a farm with the carefulness of a lawyer is probably a good thing.

 
At Sunday, May 25, 2014 12:59:00 AM, Blogger Kerry O'Connor said...

Straight was his favorite, more than a word... This line says it all, doesn't it? I'm sure there is a lot of him in you, Jim, even if you did not become a farmer.

 
At Sunday, May 25, 2014 1:15:00 AM, Blogger Sumana Roy said...

style is the man and 'straight' was his style and the legacy continues...

 
At Sunday, May 25, 2014 6:04:00 AM, Blogger Grace said...

A lovely tribute to your dad the farmer ~ Not everyone can be a farmer as it takes a lot of hard work ~ Enjoyed the pictures too ~

 
At Sunday, May 25, 2014 9:55:00 AM, Blogger Gail said...

Dirt farmer was my choice too.

I'm glad you lived your father's dream. I think I am living my parents dream, too.

 
At Sunday, May 25, 2014 11:29:00 AM, Blogger Helen said...

Poetry written from personal experience thrills me! Love this Jim!

 
At Monday, May 26, 2014 6:29:00 AM, Blogger Vandana Sharma said...

This is a great tribute, and through children parents live their dreams..........

 
At Monday, May 26, 2014 6:58:00 AM, Blogger Magaly Guerrero said...

The Child makes the Father's dream come true... Living poetry--the best.

 
At Monday, May 26, 2014 9:20:00 AM, Blogger Jinksy said...

It's sad when parent expect to choose their children's path in life for them... Sometimes bends in the road lead to exciting discoveries.

 
At Monday, May 26, 2014 11:41:00 AM, Blogger Wolfsrosebud said...

the salt of the earth

 
At Monday, May 26, 2014 12:04:00 PM, Blogger Sherry Blue Sky said...

"So I became the lawyer, Dad's straight kind." Cool write, Jim. I can see him sending you back to get that missed weed!!!!!

 
At Monday, May 26, 2014 1:04:00 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

such a lovely, nostalgic...almost playful poem.

this is my first time visiting your blog...so nice to meet you! :)

stacy lynn mar
http://warningthestars.blogspot.com/

 
At Monday, May 26, 2014 7:28:00 PM, Blogger Susie Clevenger said...

A beautiful tribute to your father...my dad grew up as a dirt farmer, but lived his adult life working on cars

 
At Monday, May 26, 2014 9:45:00 PM, Blogger Sreeja said...

Enjoyed the poem......so serene.....and a good tribute...

 
At Tuesday, May 27, 2014 1:49:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

a good tribute, Jim ~

 
At Tuesday, May 27, 2014 6:19:00 AM, Blogger Marian said...

Love this, Jim. Levon Helm's birthday was yesterday!
You're a lawyer?

 

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