Midway shade

 Midway Shade

Johnclarestokes 

Great, great grandpa was patient with 

Great, great grandma's complaint 

There was no shade in Midway

Every tree went to cordwood stacked highly

To stave the icy winter shadows long slant.

It was in the long slant great, great grandpa

Planted the Camphor 

Great, great grandma was pleased

She'd have summer shade, eventually

Rocking in the long slant hymn humming 

It was great grandma who told great grandpa

Impatiently

When are you going to fell the Camphor

The long slant of winter gives me shivers

And great grandpa would promise, eventually.

It was grandma who told grandpa wistfully 

Do you recall Midway before the shade

Of all the promises in winters slant made 

And grandpa would rock and nod, silently

It was pa who in the Spring came visiting

This is where once in cold slant I played

Before in Midway the promise was made

Ma just stood under the Camphor, agreeing.

And so in the winter I came with my bride

The Camphor towering over the home place

And the bride saw the long slant upon my face

Of promises made and promises that died

Eventually.

Midway Shade