The Mennonite
Melvin rises at the yoke of dawn,
tunes in to the quiet
son curled up alongside his
wife, touches her lovingly
pussycat stretches for
any outside adventures.
Melvin spends most of his
morning preparing
‘chop.’ Feeds the pigs, cleans
the barn, walks the horses
lunch is a restful pause.
Tractor needs fixing
three year old Bud cries
to go for a walk
Dora wants a ride into town,
a little trading with two
pigs brings in needed clothing.
As the day slips into early evening
there is satisfaction, the land,
woman and son, all here.
Wipes his brow emotion easing
down his cheeks
sundown an ember upon the
western sky.
As shadows drift across tall
trees, from above comes a smiling.
© Richard L. Provencher