A Past Long Gone

My father worked the land with
Both horse and tractor plough.
That family way of life is past,
We  are all city dwellers now.
My father and mother dead
My brother followed them on
I’m the last of that generation
And my country links are gone.
In the churchyard family graves,
Their once turfed burial mound
Unmarked by stone, are now sunk
To be  level with the ground.
I use words to paint for grandchildren 
Pictures of working days on the land,
Of much less complicated times:
And I know they try to understand

But i am just grandad reminiscing
When I tell of past country ways.
They try listen patiently, but 
We are all connected these days.
After a while their patience goes.
They feel the call to be on line
To worlds more exciting than 
That long passed one of mine.
So I dream of Fordson tractors
And the tall powerful Shire horse
And they dream of things
From their more modern source.
I wish them  long and rich life
 Happy and with good health,
Sad they’ll not experience my world 
Once rich in everything but wealth.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Volumes Avatar
March 30, 2023 at 8:31 PM
Your grandchildren are blessed Terry. They and your great great grandchildren will have a bevy of your wonderful poems to delight, teach, entertain, and enlighten them. They may not realise it now, but trust me, your poems will be treasured. (every one, to, if she dies , she dies, to the extractor fan, Miss Etty Kitt and all in between. I could go on for ages mentioning all my favourites and they will too someday.)
Ireland Avatar
March 31, 2023 at 1:00 AM
don't really know what to say ti that other than thanks Wen. I just don't want all this family and social history yo disappear.
Turner Avatar
March 30, 2023 at 9:30 AM
This is a really bittersweet write, Terry. The sadness of what used to be and the sweetness of your grandchildren's future. I'll bet you are a wonderful grandfather:)
Ireland Avatar
March 31, 2023 at 1:03 AM
Thanks Daniel. I think we all have our treasured childhood moments, but I do think my generation were blessed. The Second World War just over and such a bright future ahead. I do worry for the future for the grandchildren.
Bauer Avatar
March 30, 2023 at 8:45 AM
You’ve captured your life as it once was perfectly, Terry, with a poignant contrast to the lives of kids growing up today. I think they’re missing out on a lot more than what we might have missed…
Ireland Avatar
March 31, 2023 at 1:05 AM
I think you're spot on ilene. I'm so glad I'm mu age and nort just starting out on life.
Radice Avatar
March 30, 2023 at 4:59 AM
I enjoyed the read Terry. I don't remember horse ploughs but remember seeing them on a TV programme in the 60s / 70s called Out Of Town. I do wonder if kids miss out on using their imaginations when playing today. It's all 'like without reading' and thousands of TV channels isn't it? Cheers - Gary
Ireland Avatar
March 31, 2023 at 1:15 AM
Thanks Gary. I think they probably do. I always think the best way to "see" a play is on the radio. Create your own pictures as it goes along. I wouldn't want to turn times completely back but i do believe we have lost a lot.
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