The time before us has you in wonder
And sophistication now gives new meaning to primitive
We 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 they 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
Stanski
December 14, 2021 ^
Steve Haarman 