This Old Barn

It has stood for decades along the county gravel road. Skittering mice and barn owls now call it their abode. What was once a stately building is now a shambles, Surrounded by barren fields and prickly brambles. Where once its weather-boarding was a bright cherry-red, Due to the ravages of time, they're now a silvered-gray instead. Yet can be seen a faded Mail Pouch Tobacco sign on its weathered side, And a rusty weather-vane twisting in the wind, though a bit cockeyed! Seasons of howling gales have striven to raze its sturdy oaken beams, But they've held the old barn together though straining at its seams. Its cavernous lofts once abounded with fragrant alfalfa hay, That provided children a playground on many a rainy day. It sheltered horses, sheep and cattle on frigid winter nights, And for lack of electricity, it was lit by flickering lantern lights. It was built when neighbors helped neighbors who were skilled, At wielding hammer and saw and cherished great pride in their guild. (The old barn of which I speak still stands on Indiana's Farmers' Pike, Where I spent many happy times as an unassuming Hoosier tyke!) Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired Was Selected as Poem Of The Day by Soup 26 July 2016