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:
really great poem. so sorry he's having to do that again.
I always love your poetry. It is real.
It is good to learn, I always so some here.
Thanks, Sherry & jack
What a lovely poem. Well done, indeed.
I could feel the drought and heat - very well written!
...and let's all hope and pray that that time of rainfall and grasses greener comes much SOONER than later.
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
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