Distant Dreams

On my way into town today I watched the clouds and dreamed away Of how my ancestors in their day Traveled slowly on their way. Trudging on foot or ambling along In wagons that were horse drawn Or perhaps if they were rich A spirited team hooked to the hitch. The Children with sticks in hand Would push the cattle through the land MaMa tended babies needs And at night their bellies feed. In broiling sun, burned and blistered To prairie birds their songs they'd listen, Nights around the blazing fires They'd talk of dreams to keep inspired. The desert winds and choked by dust Sometimes did cause their dreams to bust But 'neath the evening stars once more They'd fall asleep and start to snore. The strong did live, the weak did die In unmarked graves alone they lie Mostly forgotten beneath the earth The new adventure was their curse. Beside the rivers they did roll The covered wagons cutting soil The fear of Prairie Fires was deep So rocks around their fires they 'd heap. Up mountains steep they did creep At times on their hands and knees With whips they 'd beat the weary horses Using their own shoulders as last resourses. Some did make it to journey's end Vowing ner to move again. They'd live or die in this new land With determination they took their stand. The ruts and scars from their day Can still be seen along the way On the wind their echoes cry This is the land where I will die.