The Old Farm

Story ID:	3885
Written by:	JANET KESSLER POLUDNIAK
Organization:	JUST ME
Story type:	Poem
Location:	Lansing NY USA
Year:	2008
Person:	For those feeling like they need their fences fixed--emotionally or spiritually. Or maybe for someone who feels like they want a second chance.

Restoration
The Old Farm
©2008, Janet K. Poludniak

She was old and worn
and her sides were torn
from weathering wind and rain.
She had lost all pride;
and the hole in her side
reminded her of her pain.

In her earliest years,
she surpassed her peers;
serving well till her owner died,
but the old farm was still,
she could feel the chill
from the rain and cold on her side.

With no one to care,
there was disrepair
till a kind man purchased the place.
He considered the spot:
should he destroy the lot,
or restore the failing space?

But he chose the later;
to some ‘t wouldn't matter,
but to her it was everything.
She saw she would gain—
from the hammering pain—
the renovation he would bring.

It took quite a while,
but each day, he'd smile
scrutinizing the work he had done.
She was looking like new;
in a short month or two,
her fields would feel horses run.

Some neighbors stopped by—
they were wondering why
he would repair the old farm.
He replied in each case:
"It's a bit like God's grace . . .
He repairs men; He means no harm."

"Farms are built with a goal;
when this was once whole,
it was a beautiful, fruitful place,
and when I get through—
in a short month or two,
it will demonstrate God's grace."

He would visit a while;
tip his hat with a smile,
"I'm glad you thought to stop by.
Come again if you're able;
if you'll sit at my table,
I'll explain my peculiar reply."

When the work was complete,
the place was replete
with the best the man could afford.
Kids played in the yard;
the whole family worked hard
to please the One they adored.

Soon neighbors stopped in;
the man shared with a grin,
Father asked me to buy this farm
‘cause he cares about you.
If you'll let Him, He'll do
for you what I did for this farm.

They'd stare at his face,
understanding God's grace,
and he'd share that God had a plan
to restore every life,
to relieve pain and strife,
for every child, woman and man.