Many miles traveled along Highway 2
Nothing to see except pasture and green
Fields. Then standing alone was a house
It had been abandoned for years. Even
Though well built it showed its age
The siding was down to bare wood and
The roof line sagged toward the middle
And the porch was tilted and appeared
Unsteady. My mind wandered back to
The days when this farmhouse was
Vibrant and something to be proud of.
Where did the people go. Did the old
Folks pass on with no children to take over
Where was the school, churches and town
The barn was gone but you could imagine
Noise coming from their stalls with horses
Moving about and restless. Each day
Presented an abundance of work to do.
This was fatiguing as well as lonely.
Where did the people come from and
Where did they go when farming became
Too much for them. The soil was arid and
Each year was different. There were no
Cemeteries on either side of the road.
One day they must have decided to move
On and try a new location. This was not
Uncommon, but the house looked to be
Above average and must have been a
Difficult decision to just pick up and move
From such a nice place. Sometimes you
Had to make tough decisions. That part has
Not changed. We all have to make choices
And often it is difficult. Life goes on. We
Will never know all the troubles they had.
We do know they were hard working
People who were brave and resolved to
Live a good life.
Stanski
June 5, 2023, ^
Steve Haarman 