This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Monday, January 6, 2014

Sound Of Drought

In 1996 we were living on the ranch and in the midst of a drought. The field in front of the house was plowed so when the wind was blowing the sand blew under the door and around the windows. There wasn't much green for the cattle to eat so John burned the stickers off the prickly pear for them to eat. We left the house early in the morning to beat the heat.

Sound Of Drought


The flame shooting forward, hot as hell, sound to cattle like a dinner bell.

A roar heard at the crack of dawn, breaking the silence of early morn.

Sweat dripping down from a tired man's face, as it crosses his lips with a salty taste.

When will the drought finally be broken, so many prayers for rain have been spoken.

Maybe there is a reason, we do not understand, as the ranch turns into a dry parched land.

Some day the pear burner can cease it's noise. Farmers and ranchers will have time to rejoice.

Pauline Lieck

John burned the first burner today for this season early this morning. The cattle never forget that sound and followed him to eat . This afternoon when we went out they were all around the cactus plants with a very satisfied look on their faces. He will be burning one tank each morning until the grass starts greening up.

6 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

really great poem. so sorry he's having to do that again.

jack69 said...

I always love your poetry. It is real.
It is good to learn, I always so some here.
Thanks, Sherry & jack

TARYTERRE said...

What a lovely poem. Well done, indeed.

Sharon said...

I could feel the drought and heat - very well written!

Hootin Anni said...

...and let's all hope and pray that that time of rainfall and grasses greener comes much SOONER than later.

Jimmy's Journal said...

Hoping for rain! I wasn't aware anyone or anything could eat the prickly pear but burning the thorns off sounds like a great idea.....

Jimmy