The funeral party was small
Only a few who scattered
In different directions
After the cemetery service
This was usual in the Dakotas
Rural areas with few farmers left
They were broken people
Afraid to leave for now
So they stayed with hopes
For next the year
And prayers for a mild winter
Spring came and plowing began
Fragrance from the earth was good
Spirits were high, but things went wrong
Drought put an end to wishes
A funeral atmosphere without a body
These were the plains; arid soil
And desolation; isolation
No more springs for this broken family
Another house on the prairie doomed
Time went on; newcomers arrived
New times; machines; irrigation
There would be success along with failure
Life would unfold for better or worse
Stanski
September 23, 2022, ^
Steve Haarman 