The Old Red Barn

The old red barn, standing mute for years,
still sporting the squeaky weather vane.

Its paint long cracked and peeling, 
now all but disappeared.

Six generations of father, son, and grandson
have worried and fussed over its care,  

resisting temptations to renew, rebuild,
or remodel the symbol of heart and soul.

The farm foreclosed for back taxes,
now twenty acres remain of six hundred.

The old Massey Ferguson now long quiet,
too large to plow the small garden worked.

Too expensive to get it running anyway,
the sentimental attachment, greater than worth.

A tear slowly traversed the young owner’s cheek
as he signed the transfer to the restaurant chain.

The barn would have to be moved to make
room for a ramp off of the new cloverleaf.  

© Oct 5 2010 For Rick's "the old red barn" contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Brown Avatar
December 13, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Congratulations on your win Charles in Rick's contest. Love, Carol
Fraser Avatar
December 12, 2010 at 6:36 AM
Congratulations Charles on your winning poem in Rick's contest >> James
Roberts Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 7:12 PM
congrats on your win with this great entry
Dietrich Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 4:43 PM
Oh, my, a poem with a sad ending. I really like that though since you show the reality of the world. Very nicely done, charles. A GREAT poem in this contest. Congratulations. LUv, Andrea
Freeman Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Six generations of father, son, and grandson have worried and fussed over its care. Many pages of different lives lived Charles. Congratulations, Charles on your worthy poem's success in honor. Agape, Moses
Sweetheart Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 6:05 AM
Congrats Charles on your big win in Rick's contest with this wonderful write and win.. enjoy another top ten victory so sweet and happy weekend and holidays to u ..with luv..
Mehta Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 4:54 AM
Congratulations on this well deserved win in the contest of Red barn
Horsman Avatar
December 10, 2010 at 11:26 PM
awesome Charles, congrats on this fine winner. Harry
Devonshire Avatar
December 10, 2010 at 11:23 PM
I hate to see development and financial struggles lead to the destruction of landmarks like this, Charles. A well-deserved win in Rick's contest! Love, Carolyn
Kendrick Avatar
October 5, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Very nostalgic write..Good luck in the contest with this sure winner...Sara
Brown Avatar
October 5, 2010 at 10:28 AM
A pleasure to read your amazing poetry today Charles. I wish you the best in your endeavors whatever they may be. Love, Carol
Richards Avatar
October 5, 2010 at 8:12 AM
A whole, sad but meaningful story in this wonderful couplet. Well done! ~ Carrie
Sweetheart Avatar
October 5, 2010 at 7:47 AM
All too true Charles..happens so much.. enjoyed my friend.. good luck in Rick's contest.. my entry has kinda burned down that old red barn with passion... so hope it fairs well in the contest .. a different twist I did ..but yours is certainly a top notch piece to win..luv..
Mehta Avatar
October 5, 2010 at 4:05 AM
That is the fate of The Old red Barn being closed for one or the other reason. Charles
Roberts Avatar
October 4, 2010 at 11:14 PM
sad but familiar tale isn't it, great entry for the contest
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