That Old Red Barn

I ran by this thing with haste, that malevolent beast as to school I went
Centered In a beautiful field i never played, because we all knew of the shallow graves.

We never saw them, no one dared to find them, and no one ever even looked
For the other children that were buried there, trust for a child is given by word of mouth.

The rumors grew, as the tulips did in the field that held That Old Red Barn.
A child’s fancy, the minds plaything sometimes given over to the rule of what it thinks must 
be

Because Jennifer said it, it must be so; I don’t dare to find out the actual truth. I’m not that 
brave
So I leave it alone, this beautiful thing, because the cover does not always tell the story 
within.


If I had given it a second glance and not been so scared that I didn’t notice,
That just beyond the reaches of the trees at its circumference laid a house of golden hue

And in those walls, a grander story than even of that of “That Old Red Barn”
A family of two … now ancient to me spent their time growing corn and raising grain

That would one day come to the table I sat, nourishing me and giving me strength.
Letting me have the energy I need, to quickly run by “That Old Red Barn”
So that I could fly past this place that they built and in their hearts would always treasure
I don’t think that they knew of the fear it instilled all because of one child’s rants

But now that I know and am older now, I look out my front door and see what they mean
This Beautiful Field and “That Old Red Barn” once seemed a curious creature

Full of fear and malevolence, they were too old to invest the time to restore it to splendor
So I purchased from them all this vastness of pleasure, That Beautiful Field, and yes “That 
Old Red Barn”

Written By: Ryland Joshua Matthews
Date: 11/13/2010

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



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Date: 7/23/2011 9:00:00 PM
ryland, congrats on your poem being featured this week,have yourself a wonderful weekend,..p.d.
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Date: 7/17/2011 4:21:00 PM
Congratulations on your featured poem this week Ryland. Love, Carol
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Date: 11/17/2010 6:19:00 AM
SOUP MAIL... Ryland for u to view your soup mail from me go to your member page.. on the left hand side of page four slots down click on Soup Mail under Member Area .. then just click on view to read the message ... u can reply to it directly also..luv..
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Date: 11/17/2010 6:14:00 AM
Ryland u can reply to my Soup Mail which I will send u in a few minutes after this comment.. should u want to send me a message go to my list of poetry.. click on any poem.. when it comes up go to the top of the screen .. click on the envelope..make sure its the envelope and not the block icon..they are side by side.. then just type your soupmail to me and send it luv.. will do now for u..
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Date: 11/15/2010 8:14:00 AM
This is an excellent piece of work, filled with haunting imagery..knowing how kids too, can exaggerate, twists and tell fibs to impress..wonderul story Ryland! Totally enjoyed.. Always, Audrey
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Date: 11/15/2010 4:53:00 AM
A brilliant piece of poetry Ryland and a superb entry for Rick's contest.. good luck my friend.. this awesome tale is told so beautifully with suspense and emotion swirled about in your intense lines.. if only the Old Red Barn could speak .. the tales it would tell ... excellent luv.. appreciate your wonderful words for my entry for Constance's contest .. my Mother died last Thanksgiving Day and the wounds are always fresh luv..
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Date: 11/14/2010 11:40:00 AM
Enjoyed this read on this warm Sunday afternoon. Enjoy your day.
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Date: 11/14/2010 10:11:00 AM
When you described the golden house and the couple who spent their lives working on the farm, chills went through me, Ryland. How wonderful that you were able to purchase this property and restore the farm as well as the barn to its period of greatness! A wonderful entry for Rick's contest and I wish you success. Am sending you a Soup mail also. Love, Carolyn
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Date: 11/14/2010 8:44:00 AM
that was a lovely entry for the Old red Barn contest, best of luck
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Date: 11/14/2010 6:20:00 AM
You have penned quite a memories of The Old red barn that almlost disappearing fast- nice imagery to tell your story, Ryland
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Date: 11/14/2010 5:20:00 AM
Geat write Ryland, such images and a picture drawn here.....Michael
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