Thursday, December 26, 2013

That Old Wooden Chair






 That old wooden chair was his favorite spot to be
Sitting in the sunshine in the warmth of the day
Looking out across the land he loved so much
It stirred up memories that carried him away

He always took pride in those big cornfields
 He plowed from sun up to sun down
There’s nothing left but underbrush now
Nary a stalk of corn planted in the ground

Those fields made good corn back in the day
He hauled many a load to the gristmill
Even if it took him all day in that wagon 
On an old gutted out road, most of it uphill

He always tried to share his bounty with others
Everyone wasn’t fortunate to have a good year
Even the stalks made for good fodder
That livestock sure did make it disappear

There was always plenty of planting going on
Whether it be corn or gardens growing so kind
Had to eat come summer or winter
Everything was canned, nothing was left behind

Even before the harvest had time to come in
He thought about winter and what it would bring
He had to keep the home fires burning, or else
If the weather got to bad and firewood got lean

He’d been all over those mountains and hills
Cutting and snaking out wood, it was the only way
That old mule knew how to work hard
He sure could pull that sled on any given day

One can never have enough wood to burn
In the winter when the sun sets low in the sky
Back when he was young and strong
Work was a pleasure, he could never deny 

He could still hear those cherished words
Come on home now, it’s suppertime
He’d grab a dipper of cold, spring water
A sure cure for a hot thirst every time

Sitting on the porch in that old wooden chair
With his sweetheart, wife and best friend
Meant more to him than anything in the world
Oh how he yearned to do it all over again

There’s that pretty little grove of apple trees
Been there many a year, and so content
She helped to plant them, they brought a smile
Even with their trunks so bowed and bent

Her pretty flowers still bloomed in the spring
He always told her she had a green thumb
More beauty than an old man’s heart could hold
He’d soon see her, she was waiting for him to come

Awe, it sometimes brought tears knowing
Time and circumstance had left him behind
Yearning for the things he’d lost and loved 
 Made him feel like he wasn’t worth a dime

He knew his life’s work was over and done
Remembering those bygone days brought a smile
They sure knew how to lift an old man’s spirits 
From the warmth of that chair, if only for a while

Today the old house is so empty and quiet
 Nary a sound but the mantle clock’s tick
Plenty of reminders in every nook and crack
Over in the corner is that little walking stick

The sun still shines on that little window seat
The little birds sing but there’s no one to hear
So much nostalgia and loneliness left behind
In the heart of that old wooden chair

© Susie Swanson, 2013

I find it quite strange what one can find in a picture. I hope you enjoyed what I found. Happy New Year and God Bless, Susie


25 comments:

  1. This was so beautiful Susie. It made me feel sad but happy too. One of your very best. Thank you!

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  2. Thank you so much Beth. Glad you enjoyed it. I sure did enjoy writing it.

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  3. I love what you found in that picture! You always stir my heartstrings. Thank you for being you.

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  4. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. We could all write a story or poem about that old chair and they would all be different. Enjoyed reading your rendition. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and I wish you a very Happy New Year.

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    1. Thank you Janet and you are so right. Hope you had a Merry Christmas as well and Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  5. Lovely story in that poem, Susie. Nicely done!

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  6. Susie, that hit me straight in the heart. What a wonderful---just evocative poem. That was outstanding. I don't mean to go on and on but really, it affected me that way. The picture (did you take it?) was just right for the poem.
    Katie Isdabella's Mom..Ramblingon.

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    1. Awe, thank you so much and no I didn't take the pic but sure wish I could take the credit for it.

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  7. Susie,
    This is such a touching poem. I can just see the old chair and the farmer sitting in it. You've used such beautiful imagery. This poem reminds me of my grandfather.
    I hope you had a Merry Christmas and will have a joyful New Year.l

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    1. Thank you Brenda. Yes we had a good Christmas, hope you did as well. Happy New Year to you and your mother.

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  8. Susie, your poem brought to memory my grandmother sitting on the front porch, rocking and singing, O Come Angel Band. Nice!!

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    1. Awe, that's so nice Charlotte. I can see her now. Thank you so much.

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  9. Hi Susie, the poem is just beautiful! I could picture everything, and the emotion was so pure and true. I especially enjoyed the stanza about the apple trees. It reminded me of a dear old man I met once, who lives not far from our home. He has an, aging and neatly kept, little white house, surrounded by gardenia bushes.

    When they are in bloom it is a sight to see and the scent lingers in the air for miles around. Some of the flowers are as large as a desert plate. He told me that he planted them for his wife and he lovingly tends to them even though she is gone.

    That kind of love and devotion is so precious and you really captured it in your poem. I hope you are having a nice day my friend! With Love, Delisa

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    1. Thank you Delisa and that is some beautiful memories. I would love to meet him. Love to you.

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  10. Beautiful Susie. If only that chair could speak.

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    1. Thank you Susie. You are right and what stories it could tell.

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  11. The old wooden chair poem was so sweet, Susie. It reminds me of the rocking chair that I used to rock my kids in when they were babies. As you were telling us all the memories, I could see the pictures in my mind of him in that old wooden chair.

    Thank you for your prayers for my brother-in-law. It means so much to me, and your friendship does also.

    Happy New Year, Susie. I look forward to reading more of your wonderful poems in the new year.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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    1. Sweet memories Sheri. I'm still praying for your brother in law and your friendship means so much to me also. Happy New Year to you. Thank you so much.

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  12. Happy 2014 to you and yours. My wish for you is a year full of lots of JOY, PEACE, LOVE and BLESSINGS.

    Beautiful poem--very touching. Happy New Year.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Thank you Betsy. I wish the same for you sweet friend.

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  13. Susie, I have spent the evening reading back through your posts. I love your poetry, memories and photos so much. I'm not blogging now but you will always be very special and I'll visit your blog when I can. Thanks for your blog friendship. Happy New Year. Mildred

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    1. Thank you so much Mildred . That means alot that you would go through all of them. I've missed you and hope you will return soon. Happy New Year to you.

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  14. I sure would love to sit in that chair! What a great photo and I do love what you've found in it:) Happy New Year!

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