YOU WONDER

 The time, before us, has you in wonder
 And sophistication now gives new meaning to primitive 
 You think of those who were here, having traveled 
 from the east across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, 
 Indiana; settling in Michigan.  What was it like?
  
 How were animals kept?  
 Meals must have been an adventure 
 Trees to be cut and what tools did you use?
 How many small crosses marked the pathway of the journeys?
 Oh, the wonder and we complain when we 
 Walk eight blocks to school.  
 We do this without thinking about
 Those who cleared this path as way for these roads.
  
 How many men and horses were used to shape and grade? 
 At what pace did progress take place?  
  
 Kerosene lamps replaced by incandescent lights
 Telephones with all the wires and operators, too
 How did they do it we ask?
 There was that time when everything was done by hand
 You cut and carried wood; poured foundations with hand mixed concrete
 Now we drive cars to an office for acupuncture or 
 A massage to loosen sore muscles
  
 You wonder how as you order your load on a cell-phone while driving
 through a fast food lot.  
 How did they do it without all the gadgets and plunder?
 Horseback to the auto, Wright brothers to the moon
 Advent of miracle drugs, none too soon.
  
 They were the prime ones who showed the way
 We stand on their shoulders, we, the sophisticates of today
 We thank them, too, for their sacrifices and
 Lives they given for our freedom
 We salute them and stand up for them in gratitude
 For their gifts to us
 Now, we’re determined to do our part
 To do it without a fuss
 We are thankful
 This is our thanksgiving
  
 By Steve Haarman aka Stanski
 November29, 2019 ^