Country poets come in many forms. Their claim to fame is that they tell the local rural story with a passion.
Uncle Tom was our rural community's poet. Our part of western Canada was settled by homesteaders about 1905. Uncle Tom got his homestead ( 160 acres for $10.00) . I'm sure that he had far less than 8 years of education but his poetry writing is well done. He told stories through his poetry. If there was a community celebration, Uncle Tom would have a poem.
My parents were married in Feb of 1938. They were married in another province and came back to the farm a few days after their marriage. Notice the date. Economic conditions were terrible at that time. However, it didn't stop the community from having a party for the new couple. It was a time when small wedding gifts were given. People got together , sang, played games and visited.
To mark the occasion uncle Tom wrote a poem .
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This poem has been a family favorite.
What a cool poem. Nice to know of celebrations even when times were tough. Maybe we should go back to that a little. I see 4-5 year olds getting so many gifts for the their birthday, they don't appreciate any and go back to their nose in an electronic tablet. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteIt all comes down to the state of the economy. There's lots of money around and it's spent.
DeleteThose were the days Red.
ReplyDeleteThose were the days. The people from that age remember the fun they had.
DeleteThat poem is a real treasure!
ReplyDeleteIt was lost for a while and then a couple of Uncle Tom's daughters put some of the poems together in this little booklet.
DeleteA wonderful poem written just for your Mom and Dad.
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a great day!
Mom and Dad enjoyed the poem and the welcome Mom was given to the community.
DeleteIt's fun to imagine the poem being read at the occasion.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about that. Uncle Tom did a good job of reading his own poetry. He always had a twinkle in his eye.
DeleteWhat a sweet and clever poem!
ReplyDeleteHe could bend the words to make things fit.
DeleteThat poet knew how to have and spread fun.
ReplyDeleteYes, he always had a twinkle in his eye.
DeleteArch Bristow was our local poet from the 1930s. He self published a little magazine called The Hay Rake. He wrote poetry about our county too, local events and people, humorous snippets of life. Sounds a lot like your fellow. How great to have a poem written specifically for your parents. So answer us, Red. Did you turn out to be little Peaked Klines or little inclined Peaks?
ReplyDeleteIt's great that some of these people expressed themselves through poetry.
DeleteThis is precious
ReplyDeleteMom and Dad are long gone but we still enjoy the poem.
DeleteThe poem is a treasure indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt has been much enjoyed and now is being appreciated by their grandchildren.
DeleteWhat fun! I sure enjoyed reading the poem and thinking about his creative mind. Thanks for sharing that precious poem, Red,
ReplyDeleteI must try reading it out loud!
DeleteWonderful poem, wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteSurprising how this is now being appreciated by the third and fourth generations.
DeleteVery thoughtful of him.
ReplyDeletewhat a nice job you did by bringing this to us dear Red :)
ReplyDeletethis is such a sweet and lovely poem written for the wedding of your parents wow !
i loved the feeling attached to this post and poem :)
That's wonderful, such a family treasure both memories and poem!
ReplyDeletei like read poem..and still learn how to use a beautiful diction in the poem..thanks for share. Greeting
ReplyDeleteNice bit of history!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! That is such a treasure. I love it!
ReplyDeleteWell worth keeping.
ReplyDelete