Hard Times

By William Shepherd



In Kansas we hear the wind blow through the buffalo grass as we watch the tumbleweeds roll across this land of the wide open spaces as it has for many ages.  When I think of my father and grandfather and how they settled this land of long ago.  This was the frontier as they built their houses and made their footprint upon the land.  They farmed and hunted the rivers for food and they labored and died.  They left their name that will not be forgotten by me as I still live here today and love this land and I’m here to stay.  As I plow the land for the seed, I will plant in this newly turned ground like my father did so many years ago.  I remember when I was young I saw my dad work this land.  The hot wind blows across the field planting seed and not knowing if the rains would come or not.  What a strong man he was in spirit and faith, knowing God would see us through the good times and bad while we had our share.  But with God’s help he raised his family on this land and now I stand in his footsteps doing what my dad did daily.  It is a good life in this land I love.