A FARM IN JUD, ND
There is an abandoned house
Along a dirt road in Jud, North Dakota
I’ve walked by it a few times
It’s off the road a piece and
When it’s not overgrown you
Can see where the narrow drive was
Along the old fence line
Tall trees including a few cottonwoods
Stand proudly around the old place
They were probably planted when the house was new
Rather small by our present-day standards, but
Once was considered stately and envied by
More than one of the gentry and fellow churchgoers
Now the roof has caved a bit and some of
The glass is broken. Eventually
The earth will reclaim it
Life goes on
I was never curious enough to have a look-see, but
I often wondered who the homesteaders were
What were they like? Where were they from?
Did they have children? How many?
How did things go?
How was it taking the bad with the good?
What did their parents think?
Oh the questions to ask and
Then only imagine the answers
Did they have to leave?
We’ll never know, but
My contemplation lifts my spirits
I thank God for these people
They are my heroes; did not give up
Stayed until the end when there was
Nothing else they could do to survive
Stanski
October 19, 2022, ^
Steve Haarman 