Knat Smoke

The long day is over and the work is all done,
We sit to watch the setting sun.

Out to the smokehouse to get an old shirt,
Find an old can and pour out the dirt.

The children all gather to anticipate fun,
While Grandmother's work has just begun.

She grabs a match from one of the men,
Holds out the shirt so the fire can begin.

Quickly the fire consumes the old cloth,
While flying away we see a large moth.

Grandmother stuffs the old shirt in the can,
And a bellow of smoke around us began,

To choke off the insects, so away they flew,
And if you got in the smoke it would choke you too.

It's placed in the yard, in front of everyone,
So our evening activities have officially begun.

The plume of smoke would follow each kid as they ran
In circles of fun around the old can.

The adults all sat and talked of the day,
While Granddaddy chased the dogs and cat away.

When bedtime came near and they told the last joke,
Fresh water from the spring would end the smoke.

Yes, it's offical, the evening has come to an end,
Now the knats may return and take over again.

Mud Hole

Saturday has come,
its the end of the week,
We gather at Grandaddy's,
its fun that we seek.

Uncle Garvin is there,
Uncle Buford comes too,
They brought there best vehicles,
We've some mud riding to do.

Grandaddy is laughing,
He knows there will be fun,
Cause the boys are ready to go,
On another wild mud run.

Garvin's choice is the jeep,
It's from the army's best,
He cranks the old engine,
It rumbles, ready for the test.

Uncle Buford is no bragger,
But he,s proud of his choice,
The speed of his old Bug,
Now roars its shrill voice.

To the Miller Ridge boys,
Choose your ride and let's go,
The week's rain has been good,
The mud's ready to flow.

As they turn the corner,
Eyes wide at the sight,
It's the biggest mud hole,
The mud is just right.

"The jeep will bog down,
It cannot push through,"
Uncle Buford yells to Garvin,
And he winks at him too.

"You better hope that bug's tight,
You better pray that it floats,"
Uncle Garvin yells to Buford,
"You'll wish it was a boat."

Well the engines are roaring,
The gears start to clash,
Garvin's jeep is the first one
to enter the muddy stash.

He chugs through the water,
Pushing mud with a slurp,
I heard the jeep whine,
I thought I heard it burp.

The old jeep took the right lane,
And along it did creep,
Then it stopped with a thump,
The hole was too deep.

Uncle Buford laughed,
Yelled "get out of the way.
The left side is mine,
Looks like I win today.

Well he backed up the Bug,
And pushed the gas to the floor,
He quickly gained speed,
The mud was flying to the top of his door.

But the bug came to a stop,
The other side was too steep,
I guess the old mud hole,
For the bug was too deep.

Well there we all sat,
In our seats in a slump,
When someone yelled listen,
And we heard a "thump, thump."

From out of the trees,
Came the noise and "Hello!"
Well look, it's Uncle Henry,
Two mules with a chain in tow.

"Let's get the boys home,
We can't settle it today,
You boys hook 'em up,
You all know the way."

RC Cola Clock

Sunday has come, we each rise at dawn,
Smell the summer breeze and the fresh cut lawn.

We each comb our hair and put on our best,
Maybe a new suit with even a vest.

Daddy cranks the engine as we climb in the car,
To Grandmother's church, it isn't very far.

The windows are raised as the preaching begins,
We hear about Jesus and think about our sins.

The heat of the day into the room will creep,
but Momma's soft fanning will put me to sleep.

As we hear about the Bible and the Solid Rock,
I look to the wall for that faithful RC Cola Clock.

It's five after twelve, and next look it is ten,
I listen intently, "Just as I Am" would soon begin.

The preaching is finished, the singing all done,
But now Granddaddy's prayer has just begun.

Bless Momma, Bless Pappa, Forgive each their sin,
I stare at the clock waiting for "amen."

Today the old church stands, yet I am all grown,
I go back home and look, the clock is now gone.

The memories are with me, and comfort they bring,
The hot summer days and cool breezes of spring.