ONLY IF

Poem about a farmer who is trying to keep his farm going during a drought.

He stopped in mid-row
His throat was quite parched
The crops hadn't seen rain
Since sometime last March

The heat was unbearable
He grumbled aloud
This was once Pa's land
He should've been proud.

Wiping his wet brow
With a dirty handkerchief
He looked at the bright sky
Wishing, Only if.

He noticed the stranger
From far off down yonder.
Why's he in this Hell?
From where did he wander?

"I'm lookin' fer work, sir
Anything will do.
I have a strong back
And hands to offer you."

The older man frowned
And let out a sigh
Slapping his dusty hat
On a jeans-clad thigh.

"Ain't got no work fer ya, son
I'm so sorry to say
If it don't rain soon
We might move away."

The supper bell clanged
And he waved at his wife
Thoughts of fried chicken
Overpowered his strife.

"C'mon, let's head thatta way
She's made a good meal.
Least ways I kin feed ya
Fer ya mosey over the hill."

Paper napkins tucked
Up under their chins
The family prayed
And the stranger did grin.

Raindrops fell heavily
On the old rusty roof
God had provided
And patience was proof.

Author's Note

Please given an overall review of this poem. Thank you!

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good poem. I like the offer of a meal and the kindness of friendship.
"Paper napkins tucked
Up under their chins
The family prayed
And the stranger did grin."
The old ways. Sharing meals and not down-grading another. Thank you Melissa for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

'

[MelissaAndres]

Thank you, Coyote Poetry! I wish we could all get back to basics like this and not argue, fight and distrust but, unfortunately, the world has changed. Glad you enjoyed this.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did and you are welcome. I follow my Grandfather advice. Nothing good to say. Say nothing. Silence in the place of anger, keep us safe from hurting another.

[annalysiar]

I like this story great message wonderful write

[Celie Rose]

I loved your poem. Grabbed my attention. As I read I got a mental picture of the situation.. The older man's patience. Lack of rain for the crops. Wandering stranger down on his luck looking for work. The family hospitality shown."Ain't got no work fer ya, son. I'm so sorry to say. If it don't rain soon. We might move away."C'mon, let's head thatta way
She's made a good meal.Least ways I kin feed ya!" God does provide for those who are patient. Well expressed and written. Keep writing.

[TL Boehm]

Ok, I said awww. But only under my breath so don't tell anyone I got all sappy at the ending. I'll flatly deny it. Had a big stupid grin on "thoughts of fried chicken" too. So, yeah. That's my review today. (winks)

[MelissaAndres]

Thank you, TL. And, your secret is safe with me! (heehee)

[Mister T.]

It's actually the farmers who give us cereal products, who provide us with milk products, fresh vegetables and potatoes. Unfortunately, only a small portion of people realize the importance of farmers.
Anyways, I enjoyed the poem, as always. Nice one, Melissa :)

[MelissaAndres]

My grandfather was a farmer for many, many, many years and my Daddy grew up on that farm. They both worked long, hard hours. I admire anyone who toils, sweats and bleeds for something they enjoy, with very little pay or thanks. Shows they are dedicated to their craft.

[wordman]

a great write melissa,country folk i guess are the best

[MelissaAndres]

Of course they are! Thanks, wordman! :)

[alifeacoustic]

I always feel sorry for farmers and how they are treated. If it's not the weather, it's supermarkets squeezing them dry. It's a hard life and a hard days work, every day, hoping and praying that this year will be better and they can make it through until seeding season once more. We should hold these people up as the heroes they are, they keep the country going with meat, milk and cereals that we think just mystically appear pre-packed in store shelves. All hail the farmer :)
Great piece Melissa, I always like a tale that makes me appreciate more the sacrifices others make.

[MelissaAndres]

Thank you, alifeacoustic! My Grandpa was a farmer for many, many years and I just imagine him doing something like my poem suggests. My Daddy is country through and through and helped on the farm but eventually became a truck driver to feed us kiddos. I have that bit of country in me but I like the "modern" things of life -- like indoor toilets, malls and grocery stores! HA!

[Bare trees]

I think you did a great job on the poem. I don't know that the stranger's sudden appearance would be worthy of including in this though. I think It might be a little better if it was more in line with the farmer's patience and faith for rain. I didn't see the connection between the stranger and the rain unless he was an angel of some sort. In that case, it might need a little more clarification. Hope that makes sense.

[MelissaAndres]

Pale, thank you for the suggestions. Yes, I was eluding to the stranger being an "angel" of some sort because the old farmer was kind to him. I was leaving that up to the reader's imagination though so they could determine the connection, if they desired. I LOVE your profile picture! Thank you for reading and commenting!