The Farm Gate

There's an old timber, farm gate at the end of a track.
You wouldn't see it driving past unless you looked back.
It's made of roughly hewn wood more than a lifetime ago,
time and weather has worn it down, as the seasons ebb and flow.

A rusty abandoned ute lays near, covered in pine tree nettles.
Where weeds and braken make claim to it as in the earth it forever settles.
Late sunlight filters through the trees, casting shadows through the gate.
Where once cattle on the other side for feed would stand and wait.

Young children used to play on the gate, stand and swing it open wide.
Then climb through the cypress trees for another place to hide.
Atop the rail the magpies perch, warbling away without refrain.
Intently gazing across the fields, the kings of their domain.

The children have all gone now, grown up and moved away.
For many years the gate lay untouched, its frame in disarray.
Who knows? maybe someone will see its worth and fix the old farm gate.
Embed it back into time, for another's memories to recreate.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Cresswell Avatar
September 23, 2017 at 8:11 PM
Gentle, wistful, endearing poem that catches one y the art.
Emu Avatar
September 24, 2017 at 2:45 PM
Thank you Patricia, too kind
Welch Avatar
August 22, 2017 at 10:41 PM
Great imagery, can definitely imagine being out wandering and running across a place like the one described, either in its prime or decayed state.
Emu Avatar
August 24, 2017 at 3:30 PM
Thank you David.
Deo Avatar
April 29, 2017 at 5:44 AM
nostalgia with purpose! a seven Craig. shabbat shalom
Emu Avatar
April 29, 2017 at 1:11 PM
Thanks Anil. Appreciate your visit.
Williams Avatar
April 21, 2017 at 11:33 PM
I love this wonderful poem of yours which brought back many a great memory of swinging on a gate, that sounds like this one.
Emu Avatar
April 22, 2017 at 6:17 AM
They were made for swinging on I think. Thanks for the visit and your kind remarks
Ball Avatar
October 28, 2016 at 5:39 PM
Very nice Craig. Beautiful description that took me back to my child hood. Loved it. God Bless, JB
Emu Avatar
November 4, 2016 at 1:42 PM
Well it seems most people have a gate they can remember fondly
Dietrich Avatar
October 24, 2016 at 5:49 PM
This is a wonderful portrait of an object that once had great value and is now fallen into disrepair. I really like your description.
Emu Avatar
November 4, 2016 at 1:42 PM
Thank you Andrea for visiting my poem!
Callus Avatar
October 24, 2016 at 4:54 PM
This old gate has brought you many nostalgic memories, Craig. It would be great were somebody else come forward to bring the place to its former glory. Regards // paul
Emu Avatar
November 4, 2016 at 1:43 PM
Cheers Paul, thanks for the visit.
Lawton Avatar
October 15, 2016 at 8:21 AM
Don't you ever wonder how things such as an old wooden gate evokes such a wonderful poem. Very well written I love it. Thank you for sharing.
Emu Avatar
October 17, 2016 at 2:50 PM
Thank you for your kind words Patricia.
Onclaud Avatar
October 4, 2016 at 2:33 PM
reveries of old enhance our present moments..i like the mellow feel of this write, craig... very well crafted!..huggs
Emu Avatar
October 7, 2016 at 2:41 PM
Thank you nette, Appreciate your visit and comment
Smith Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 5:37 AM
Your words invoke memories on both sides of the ditch. Lest we forget my friend. Caught a programme tonight on history of China. They teach history using words of poets past. Keep them coming Craig.
Emu Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 3:00 PM
Thanks for your visit and comments David, Great way to teach history in schools
Delaney Avatar
September 30, 2016 at 6:37 AM
G'Day Craig: I do love to see relics from the past and your wonderful poem about the old gate has immortalized this scene. This image of the magpies perched there. I could hear them warbling. Made me nostalgic for Australia. A definite 7 and a Fav for me. Best Regards, SuZ
Emu Avatar
September 30, 2016 at 3:20 PM
Thanks Suzanne for your kind comments.
Allison Avatar
September 28, 2016 at 2:40 PM
a very moving write Craig - great memories so eloquently described:-) hugs jan xx
Emu Avatar
September 29, 2016 at 12:36 AM
Thanks Jan, appreciate your comments.
Kendrick Avatar
September 28, 2016 at 2:01 PM
I hope that someone does just that and brings alive the farm..Enjoyed reading your work..It brought back memories of a gate of long ago.Sara
Emu Avatar
September 29, 2016 at 12:37 AM
Thank you Sara for your kind words.
Rycroft Avatar
September 28, 2016 at 12:23 PM
Great poem well-written you have put that gate on the map People will come and look from far away just to see it. x
Emu Avatar
September 29, 2016 at 12:38 AM
Ha, Should have taken it with me last time I was there! Cheers Wendy.
Wolf Avatar
September 28, 2016 at 3:28 AM
Very enjoyable read.../|\
Emu Avatar
September 29, 2016 at 12:38 AM
Glad you thought so Rick, Thanks for the visit.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 28, 2016 at 3:25 AM
I really enjoyed this picture you painted with your words.
Emu Avatar
September 29, 2016 at 12:39 AM
Cheers, Richard, I must say I loved your "cats in the cradle" poem.
A   Avatar
September 27, 2016 at 11:44 PM
Craig, somehow I was moved by your vivid and precious memories. When I was young, I lived out in the country, (barns andall) We had a metal fence. My favorite place to hang out was on the gate door. lol... Anyways, I'll never know what became of the old place. A pleasure to read. Something good will come, when opportunity and vision hits. Linda
Emu Avatar
September 28, 2016 at 2:13 AM
Thanks Linda appreciate your comments and visit to my poem. Regards, Craig
Dietrich Avatar
September 26, 2016 at 3:14 PM
It's nice to write of something that brings back nostalgic memories. Very nice and flowing.
Emu Avatar
September 26, 2016 at 3:27 PM
Thanks Andrea. Nice of you to visit my poem.
Trifiatis Avatar
September 26, 2016 at 8:35 AM
Beautiful images and fine rhyme dear, Craig. Much enjoyed!
Emu Avatar
September 26, 2016 at 3:26 PM
Cheers Demetrios, Thanks for the kind comment
Horsman Avatar
September 26, 2016 at 7:07 AM
Oh this is good, reminds me of so many aspects of growing up, the farm yard gate one of those, thanks craig awesome....
Emu Avatar
September 26, 2016 at 3:26 PM
Thanks Harry. Appreciate your visit
Godwin Avatar
September 25, 2016 at 10:50 AM
This made me feel melancholy yet there is no indication you put it in the contest. The feel is palatable, sentiment seeps and touches the readers emotions for all things 'past.' Last line - wouldn't it be create rather than recreate since 'another' has yet to make memories? Just a side thought. I love the poem ... CayCay
Emu Avatar
September 26, 2016 at 5:17 AM
Thank you for your comments. I didn't intend it to be melancholy just good memories of my childhood. However I suppose you could glean a little sadness from this. And yes I take on board what you say about create. Thanks CayCay for your visit
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