Was It A House Or A Barn?
The house stood tall, ugly and black without paint
Was used for a barn underneath it's sagging floors
There dad's horses and chickens ate and slept
And rats ate with chickens, sometimes came indoors
Nine years this was our home in well off neighborhood
Where others had indoor plumbing and pretty things
While we were poverty stricken because my dad was sick
The rent was cheap or free, to his sister dad would cling.
Many Christmas' I would have done without a gift
If not for his understanding sister who gave me one
No, there was no food stamps, welfare checks or medical
No disability paid to us by the government or well off bon ton.
Many friends flocked to me and shared many things
I never really felt as poor and I now know we were
Mother did laundry for the neighbors with good jobs
I washed dishes for my lunch, some memories are a blur.
I learned at an early age from grandmother and the Church
To turn to God for help and received many answers to prayers
Because I believed I was God's child and he loved me very much
I didn't feel I was less of a person, but never learned to put on airs.
Norma Duncan aka Mistymaiden
Aug. 15, 2011 (I lived there 1st - 10th grades)
Inspired to write by a poem Maryfrances wrote.
http://thestarlitecafe.com/poems/105/poem_91199655.html (The Old Red Barn)
By Mistymaiden
© 2011 Mistymaiden
(All rights reserved)
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