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Heritage

The ranch on which I hang my hat, though short on most the frills, Is thirteen sections, give or take, of rugged trails an’ hills. We call it ‘home’, our little world, our very own frontier, Amongst the cattle, sheep an' goats; the varmints, hogs an' deer. Today I watched the breakin' dawn an' whiffed the mornin' air, A time I often set aside for things like thought an' prayer. A Mockin'bird an' Mornin' Dove, an' other birds at play, Were there to sing an' set the mood to start another day. This mornin' saw the strangest thing, like time itself had merged, An' all the souls who once were here, appeared an' then converged. In swirlin' clouds of mist an' fog, right off the bluffs they rolled, Till all had gathered in the glen, the modern an' the old. The Indians, conquistadors, an' other ancient men, The soldiers from this country's wars, an' cowboys from back when… They all had come from yesterday to help me understand Our link with those who came before, to heritage an' land. A crazy notion, so I thought, that they could just appear, But as the morning went along the reason got real clear. They rode along with me that day to show me things I’ve missed, The things I’ve seen a thousand times an’ some I’d just dismissed. Those wagon roads of long ago, still evident today, Are carved in rock an' rutted earth, not apt to wash away. They linked the missions, forts an' towns those many years gone by; An' left their mark for all to see, as modern times grew nigh. The artifacts an' weathered ruins attest to yesterdays, When others came an' lived their lives in very different ways. We've seen their skill in arrowheads they honed from fired stone, An' craftsmanship in beads an' tools they fashioned out of bone. At ever turn and trail we took was something to remind, The Maker must have had a plan laid out for humankind. The Earth He made’s been feedin' us a half-a-million years, An' used it's wonder, force an' change to challenge pioneers. I do not know if they'll return or if they’ll feel the need, But I’m prepared to ride the trail, where ever it may lead. We all are spirits ridin’ time with bodies of the Earth, Whose time has come to take the reins an’ offer up our worth. The land has been the legacy we cultivate an’ reap, The life has been the heritage our father’s fought to keep, An’ we are bound throughout our time with those who came before, To put our hearts and souls to it, and make it something more.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2009




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Date: 4/21/2021 12:12:00 PM
Oh, take me back Jim to that "great Grand Canyon episode". I loved every line. I feel 65 years younger. Congratulations - Ken
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Date: 6/13/2010 8:48:00 AM
Congratulations on being featured. Great job! Joseph
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Date: 6/12/2010 12:19:00 PM
Hey! Congrats on having you wonderful poem being featured this week, keep your pens flowing with passion. You are such a great writer! Love , Adeleke
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Date: 6/9/2010 11:31:00 AM
Jim - many congrats on your wonderful poem being featured this week. What an amazing picture your words conjure up. Rgds Janette
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Date: 6/7/2010 8:36:00 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved featured poetry this week Jim. Love, Carol
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Date: 6/6/2010 2:50:00 PM
Nice use of rhyme and language to share your thoughts. Congratulations on having your poem featured. Keep on writing! Wishing you continued success. Karen
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Date: 9/19/2009 5:16:00 PM
wow.. this poem was amazing.. I really enjoyed reading it..
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Date: 9/8/2009 9:26:00 AM
oh ya jim I read between the lines on this one what a great write and read this should be on a plaque and hung in a musume thanks for sharing and for your comments glad I stopped
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Date: 8/21/2009 10:56:00 PM
a talented write about the beauty that still exists with cascades of memories and relics of the past,,,very interesting and fulfilling to read from the eyes of someone who sees these things everyday,,blessings..Cecil and Thank you for reading and commenting on my words.
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Date: 8/14/2009 9:31:00 PM
Great writing here, Jim. Been awhile since you've posted here at the Soup. Hope you return soon with more wonderful stories for us!
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Date: 8/11/2009 6:18:00 PM
This is an outstanding and beautiful poem. I love the form... it fits your words and your words fit the form. It's so perfect. I find myself reading it again and again. There is so much here on so many levels. Thank you for honoring me in your contest! And thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I'm new to poetry soup I'm so thankful I found this site.
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Date: 8/11/2009 6:02:00 PM
I just love this poem Jim, something we should all keep in mind as we make our mark for those who follow, what will be our heritage? And thank you for your placement in your contest, it was an honor, and I hope we can do it again soon! ~Trudy~
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Date: 8/10/2009 5:21:00 PM
soup mail : )
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Date: 8/10/2009 9:02:00 AM
Jim, you have SoupMail. Love, Carol
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Date: 7/10/2009 4:50:00 PM
This goes to my favorites...I think I'd call it a cowboy verse....the word modern in this line was the only thing which seemed to me out of place "the new ones and the old" Light & Love..please add to the growing gift on my blog
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Date: 7/6/2009 9:28:00 PM
very good indeed! I love the flow and rhyme and the theme. You are very good and if you are not published yet, i really think you ought to be. Great poem! John E
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Date: 7/4/2009 3:10:00 PM
Where do you live, Jim? It must be wonderful to be surrounded by so much inspirational history. I'd like to go riding on this land to get a sense of the "weathered ruins" and the Native American spirits. You capture the courageous, hard-working pioneer soul in this brilliant poem. What a pleasure -- make that a treasure -- you have given to the reader. Love, carolyn
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Date: 7/4/2009 12:26:00 PM
This is a beauty. The sense of time and convergence is vivid. Thanks.
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Date: 6/25/2009 3:39:00 PM
An absolute gem you have written Jim, as i have said, it's going to take an awesome feat to take your crown with these themes of poetry, sheer class. A big thank you for your kind comments regarding my website, very much appreciated>>James
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Date: 6/24/2009 1:23:00 PM
yes Jim, I agree with your last two-lines and voice the same theme in the last three lines of my poem 'labyrinth' just a smooth, beautiful poem here!! jmg
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Date: 6/23/2009 6:42:00 PM
Soup mail, Jim !
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Date: 6/23/2009 5:45:00 PM
So wonderful, so full of history and love of the west. It has a mystical quality, as if those who lived so long ago, still watch over the land. Wonderful writing! ~ Carrie
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