Poem of the Week
October 3, 2005
It stands alone up on the hill
with prairie all around.
The windows now are boarded shut
loose shingles on the ground.
The cowmen that built this church
have long since seen God's face.
No need to ring the Sundays in
or sing Amazing Grace.
The graves are lined out in neat rows
in the fence on the northwest side.
A lot of Nelsons buried here
folks still recall with pride.
The gate that keeps the cattle out
no doubt has seen its best.
The line posts speak of prairie fire
but the old church stood that test.
When they built the church and settled here
all it took was a good man's word.
A lot of money made and lost
a handshake bought a herd.
Now beef is run on corporate spreads
new fences strung real tight.
Double graze and triple stock,
the profit makes it right.
The prayer book is the ledger
the good word now is gains.
No one to say, "Is this here right
or pull back on the reins."
We threw out our church values
searching for the bottom line.
Denver lawyers and agreements
"Three copies will be fine."
Use up the grass and move on west
there's money waiting there.
Don't worry about your neighbor none
that's his own look-out to care.
when I harp on all this change.
Thinking about the good-old-days
when the Nelsons rode this range.
I'm sure we told the Redman
that change was here to stay.
He took a different view alright
but change came anyway.
Well, if you got some time to spare
and you're heading out this way.
Stop up at the Prairie Church
it's a real fine place to pray.
--Marvin Hass
Copyright (c) 2005, Marvin Hass.
Used with the author's permission.