What came to mind was the story of, actually, two relatives. Grandfather was one of the more quiet Christians in my family history. He never preached a sermon; the college was close enough that he might have taken classes before the War, but I've found no record of it. He had his own kind of ministry. The cousin who kept the store, every day for fifty years with (eventually) some help from a wife and children, was always held up to my brother and me as an example of a righteous man.
They said no one was hungry
and no one was cold
in the Depression
days of old.
Down by the railroad tracks
was a little store,
ten feet by twenty
or not much more.
Third cousin much removed
had two brothers
who died of stupidity,
left two others
he never could educate;
they had no need
beyond food and shelter,
never could read.
Grandfather reckoned he
had a long row
of mostly weeds and
rocks to hoe;
Backed his bid on
the little store.
"Help those who need help;
can't do more."
Whoever needed
food to eat
could get food at the store
till on his feet.
Whoever needed
coal to burn
could get it from the store
till season's turn.
If an account had run
on too long,
Grandfather paid it;
his word was strong.
All of his childhood
my father was poor
but not so poor as some
clients at the store.
Had food, books, blue jeans,
and not much more,
while everyone got food
from the store.
Had lots of friends,
he and his brothers.
Friends followed them home
and all the others
ate all they wanted
of farmers' dinner.
Grandma and Grandfather
weren't much thinner.
Grandfather had a cough
from nerve gas
in the War to End All War;
let it pass,
farmed and did odd jobs
better than some,
had a princely manner
and steady income.
Always said "communist"
was a good word,
long as it was the choice
one preferred.
Said private property
was the way
for those who looked forward to
no Brighter Day.
After my Grandma died
we found out
how much money kept their faith
past all doubt.
Thirty-five dollars,
or less, not more,
each month, ran the farm
and the store.
No comments:
Post a Comment