Grandpa's Weathered Red Barn

Grandpa’s rustic, once crimson red barn sheltered so much and so many different things
From biting bitter cold, to cyclonic winds, and hard-drenching-down-pouring rains…

Great memories lie heaped, buried in antique red rubble and sifted gray ash
Decaying on open flat grassy plain along with the historic Civil War past…

The red barn was where I learned about his cranky, short tempered, milking cow
Never wander too close to hind legs for they will surely send you tumbling down…

The weathered red barn held fabulous hiding places for rodents, snakes, and me
I know its brave red heart protected me from countless accidents and waiting dangers…

I acquired great joy sliding down its majestic shingled low-sloping roof
Continuously riding into insidiously giant pillow-soft snow drifts…

Sacred memories of childhood absorbed in knot holes and immense pillared rafters
Echoing in the attached silo and milk room where laughter gathered non-stop…

Along the country roadside, down a pot-hole filled gravel dirt road, were neighboring farms
But not one barn could match the strength or beauty of Grandpa’s weathered red barn… 

Copyright © 2010 By Caryl S. Muzzey

Fifth Place Winner ~ "That Old Red Barn” Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Rick Parise
Dec. 10, 2010
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Pekrul Avatar
March 24, 2017 at 7:03 PM
I love the memories recorded here. I also remember the barn, although not red, but great memories all-the-same.
Brown Avatar
December 13, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Congratulations on your win Caryl in Rick's contest. Love, Carol
Fraser Avatar
December 12, 2010 at 6:30 AM
Many congratulations Caryl on your fine win with this lovely poem >> James :)
Roberts Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 7:09 PM
wonderful entry , congrats on your win in the contest
Dietrich Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 4:40 PM
Outstanding description, this contest entry of a barn with a "brave red heart" Congratulations in this contest, Caryl! Luv, Andrea
Freeman Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 9:35 AM
Never wander too close to hind legs for they will surely send you tumbling down. Congratulations Caryl on your worthy poem's honor. Smile, I have had some experience with those cranky cows too! Agape, Moses
Sweetheart Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 6:03 AM
Congrats Caryl on your big win in Rick's contest with this elegant write and win my friend.. enjoy your top spot for a wonderful poem... happy weekend and happy holidays with luv..
Mehta Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 4:53 AM
Congratulations on this well deserved win in the contest of Red barn
Horsman Avatar
December 10, 2010 at 11:22 PM
congrats here for this winner, enjoyed, Harry
Devonshire Avatar
December 10, 2010 at 11:19 PM
Congratulations on your win with this terrific entry to Rick's contest, Caryl!
Mossburg Avatar
November 2, 2010 at 3:07 AM
Thanks for sharing this vivid and moving word picture. Best of luck in the contest. Steve
Dietrich Avatar
November 1, 2010 at 10:24 PM
gosh, you make it sound like it all really happened to you. But I doubt many of us grew up on a farm like this! (or possibly you did?) Anyway, I think this is one of the best ones I read in the red barn contest category. HOpe you place high. LUv, Andrea
Muzzey Avatar
January 2, 2016 at 2:53 PM
The only thing different was that it was a white barn, I made it red for the contest...
Muzzey Avatar
January 2, 2016 at 2:52 PM
Andrea, this really did happen to me, all at 4 years of age. I was watching my dad do some milking and got too close to Rosie's back legs and was kicked in the stomach. Then when we had a big snow, my brother helped me to get on the barn roof and told me to slide down into the giant snow drift that came up level with the roof slope which was about 5 ft. from the ground. My dad had to dig me out... But we had fun!
Taylor Avatar
November 1, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Outstanding entry, Caryl. Great tribute and fond memories. Enjoyed. Good luck. Thanks for reading my stuff. Ralph
Devonshire Avatar
October 31, 2010 at 11:52 AM
I can see why this barn is so special to you, Caryl. When I first saw Rick's contest posted, I didn't know what the entries would be like. But yours is very moving and descriptive. Best wishes for success! Love, Carolyn
Skyles-Theoklapoet Avatar
October 30, 2010 at 12:11 PM
A really terrific read.Wishing you luck in the contest.Thanks for the congrats on my win.Teresa
Kendrick Avatar
October 30, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Good luck in the contest with this one..Winners' circle for sure..Reads like it was a great place to play..Sara
Culverhouse Avatar
October 30, 2010 at 9:08 AM
Very beautiful... I liked the smell in my grandad's barn... esp when he had cows.
 Avatar
October 13, 2010 at 8:25 AM
Lovely poem of memories,I enjoyed it very much and thank you for comments on my poem.
Horsman Avatar
October 12, 2010 at 1:01 AM
excellent couplets, enjoyed this, good luck in the contest. Harry
Waldon Avatar
October 11, 2010 at 5:44 PM
Love the images
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