Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Fall and Rise of the Farm

Our neighbors are moving. They have lived on this farm for many years but the toll of bad weather and failing health has rung its bell for the final time....and it's time to move on.

It's evident in the rusted chair where once sat happy memories on back porch steps. The rumpled jackets in reckless abandon tell the story of tired footsteps that no longer care to sing the song of rural life.

The weathered barn, once erected with pride in hopes of golden years, now stands silent....and just barely. The warm breath of cattle and sweet smell of hay no longer resonates through rafters, and its hollowed emptiness echoes loneliness.

The old water pump still sputters a stream of cold water, but stands choked by tall weeds; forgotten in the look towards the future.

I don't blame them. Farming is a tough job, a tough life and there are times when the brave thing to do is to move ahead towards a life without the labor that can break one's back and try one's spirit. With the hope for better health and the need to be close to family, they will make their new home among beautiful hills and quiet respite. And that's how it should be.

In the late thrills of spring, another family will take their place with new energy, new ideas, new hopes. Once again the chair will sing its metalic melody as it glides across back porch steps. Old jackets will be replaced by new ones, embraced in whistling energy and hung on kitchen door hooks. Strong winds will still blow through rusted barn boards, but the sound of singing hammers will echo through the rafters in attempted restoration. Tall grass will fall around the the faded red pump, replaced by morning glories, and new life will take hold.

Still in the family, still in the name....the new generation takes over with hope for the farm, pride in their heritage and strength of the spirit. And that, too, is how it should be.

14 comments:

John-Michael said...

Nothing written by anyone has ever been read, by me, to surpass the stirring harmony of image ... blended from words artfully constructed, and photographs skillfully produced ... that You, My Dear One, have assembled in this piece. Masterful!

Cheryl said...

Lovely. I'm so glad you've been posting again lately. Your photo essays remind me that the America I grew up in still exists... somewhere. :)

david mcmahon said...

God bless them as they move. Farming has been a hard, tough, exacting job here in Australia with years of drought.

You have got it so very right when you write: ``new energy, new ideas, new hopes'' .... that, Lori, is a message for Life itself.

lime said...

beautiful musing. may your old neighbors find peace and rest and may the new ones bring love to the farm.

here from david's

Sandi McBride said...

As I read this I was put in mind of a Garth Brooks song The Ones the Wolves Pulled Down. Coming from a farming family I understand only to well the struggles of a lifetime disappearing into the depths of despair. Nothing lonlier than the sight of an old deserted farm house, roof sagging in, walls falling down, waiting for a saviour. Oh, and in case you were wondering, David sent me over...congratulations on your post of the day award...
Sandi

Autumn said...

I found my way here from David's blog. This was a beautiful post. Wonderful pictures and words.

Cath said...

Came over from David's post of the day. Congrats on winning it and so well deserved. Beautiful post. Full of emotion and imagery, with great photos too. And that's how it should be. Thanks.

aims said...

What a lovely tribute to the people who provide us with food - and to a way of life that is indeed backbreaking and endless work.

A lovely lovely post -

btw - David sent me - and his choice for the best post of the day was absolutely right!

Jules~ said...

Thank you for sharing this. Your words and imagry are stirring and breath taking.

Daryl said...

How wonderful that David has 'singled' you out .. I'd have come anyway .. once the insanity was over ..

Jamie Dawn said...

Here via David -

Lovely post.
Your paint pictures with your words.
Very nicely written.
Nice photos too.

holly said...

david told me to come here. every time he tells me to go somewhere i am increasingly glad he did. :)

this reminds me of all the stuff my dad's family have left behind in their move to town. it's a small town, and the things they left behind are a little outdoor museum of yesteryear.

Slone said...

once again just a beautiful theator of the mind post.

Slone said...

oops! see what happens when I post @ 4AM???

TheatEr!!