Ron's Poem

Dirt Poor

Her family lived barely dirt poor
on a farm without water or seed
and too many mouths to feed
till scattered like winded spore.

Life was difficult every day.
A mother with hardened heart
of despair drove them to part,
sent them seeking another way.

Marriage was Mom's only chance
she thought it must be better,
until child became a new fetter
to her imagined life of romance.

Movies were her main consolation,
fervently she wanted to live in town.
Each day she sank ever down
in self pity chained to rural isolation.

She could never be mother or wife.
When young I wanted her there,
I wanted to think she really did care,
now I understand her wanted life.

in my older age
I know she had to leave
Now, I no longer grieve,
for me it was better.

Ronald Kuykendall