Homesteaders

Today’s poem is an effort to capture the adventurous spirit of the brave pioneers that moved the United States frontier westward in the mid-eighteen hundreds. It is difficult for modern day mankind to comprehend the hardship and suffering these courageous people endured. They had a dream! With determination and the “gravel in their gut”, they became the original settlers of what is now known in America as the “Southwest.”

Today’s photo is real and was found on several historical sites on the internet. These are real homesteaders maybe traveling in a group since somebody had to take the picture. Possibly the wife of the second man took the photo. The surroundings look pretty desolate so they will probably be moving on to more favorable farming land.

 

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An eon of prairie sounds broken by moans of eerie pain

As a homesteader’s wagon footprints across a virgin terrain

The wooden frame heaves and twists over ruts and stone

Dream-driven folks looking for land to call their very own

Tillable land for growing crops; they’ve got the seeds of grain

Nearby water is a must. They can’t depend only on the rain

Nearby trees would be helpful, logs for housing to be hued

Wood to fire a stove for warmth and to cook their daily food

The “homestead act” for the self-reliant tillers of the soil

Stated that land could be theirs in exchange for their toil

Five years, that’s a long time, but “stick it out” they must

Also, build a shelter and grow crops on a virgin earthen crust

Life was not easy for these brave and courageous souls

They needed tenacity and a commitment to their goals

Some gave up; returning home. A few rest in their grave

Only the fittest would survive to reap the rewards they crave

                                                                Poem By Herm Meyer

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Stuff:

I like to thank the many readers from around the world for the support and prayers during my recent health trauma. The heart by-pass surgery was successful and my recovery has been faster than many expected. I’m sure the many prayers of friends and reader helped…Thanks!. . . . . Herm