Results for ‘POEMS’
[PHOTO: Jesse Morningstar Timber Mill circa 1940]
In Hamblyns field where the brush does grow
There used to be lumber piles yes row upon row
The trees were cut in the bush up on the hill
Then cut into logs and hauled down to the mill
Horses brought the sleighs along an icy road
Where hills were sanded to stop a runaway load
In the bush there wasn’t any chainsaw sound
Only axes chopping and trees as they hit the ground
The camp the men stayed in was full of lice
And smells of wet dirty clothes wouldn’t be nice
Yes at 4 a.m. they arose from their bed
They had breakfast of salt pork beans tea and bread
They started in the bush long before daylight
And finished in the dark later that night
There at the mill they worked hard all day
Only back then they got very little pay
The mill saw was kept sharp to get through the wood
As two men cutting boards wouldn’t if they could
Some logs they cut were maple beech birch and oak
But working in the mill or the bush it was no joke
The lumber was piled up high yes all by hand
And it sure would have been not in that field of sand
Some of the lumber was taken and put in a boxcar
To be taken by train to places near and far
Those folks maybe felt times will be better somehow
Yes times are better nowadays and they’re all gone now
Back then to the mill did a short cut someone take
As there is a team and a sleigh load of logs in Mullet Lake
Good stories today that area could tell if it could talk
But those stories to people today would really shock
Bessemer village the mill and the train are gone too
Logs are hauled away by trucks ruining the roads they do
There is very little there now like in days of yore
Only a cottage or two but no big village as there was before
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ontario
The old school house sat at the top of the hill
Where each day with knowledge our heads were filled
If you couldn’t learn the teacher wondered why
So you got the strap even if it made you cry
You had to do your homework not talk or shout
Then bravely you faced the world when you went out
Your schooling only went to grade seven or eight
So any job you were offered it you did take
Yes the teachers then didn’t fool around
And in the graduating class not a criminal was found
The old general store was over a little ways
Where the proprietor always spent many long days
He was open from early morning until late at night
When men sat and talked about things not right
There was candy for the children and a cooler with pop
And for things you needed it was there you did shop
He had brooms wash tubs and saws for sale
In the winter the stove was lit and never did fail
Ladies could buy cloth and there were dishes too
Also kerosene boots and clothing for me and you
The garage was close by where you bought your gas
And the owner always waved when you went past
He also changed the tires and greased your car
Since he knew it would be needed if you went very far
Tune ups were done also to keep the car running right
So you wouldn’t be stranded during the day or night
Back then the tires would often go flat
But without a tube now there is a lot less of that
The church was over further where on Sunday morn
You were told to be in Heaven you had to be reborn
He wasn’t shy about the word as he was commanded to do
And said turn to Him now or in Heaven there’ll be only a few
The cemetery was nearby where the older folks lay
Yes they all lived closer to Him back in their day
But most aren’t concerned as Sunday comes around
Doesn’t the Bible say in church we’re to be found
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ont.
There are green fields in Virginia here its green hills
Which give the city folk a really big thrill
People can walk in the bush looking at the trees
But be careful don’t trip and scrape your knees
The roads are winding with many different scenes
Yes its better here than any place we’ve been
All around Bancroft is an area that has it all
From a cool spring to colored leaves in the fall
The springtime is nice with the melting of the snow
So heavy clothes aren’t needed wherever you go
As the snow melts we see crocus start to bloom
And the nice weather brings other flowers soon
On some spring days the weather is very hot
But on other ones most say it sure is not
When the weather warms up more cars there are
Even though most of them never go very far
The farmers in the spring are out planting crops
They keep going until done then they can stop
Houses are kept better now than years ago
As money was scarce then this we all know
The northern part of our county is rugged as can be
While the southern is more level that we all see
There is logging and other jobs but a lot of poverty
Since this is my hometown its the only place for me
The folks are friendly and some prices may be high
So when at the store what I need is all that I buy
We may look outside and say it looks like a nice day
But by noon the weather has went the other way
There is a haze looking like a fog but its no joke
It comes from a distant forest fires great big smoke
The winters may be cold but not like years ago
As I recall seeing -40c for two weeks or so.
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ont.
June has come the best month of the year
So may the nice weather fill us with cheer
We don’t need a winter coat or heavy boots
And children can be outside without a snowsuit
Its nice to be outside even for a few hours
Enjoying the nice weather while tending the flowers
Wood is cut split and piled up to dry
By the sun away up there in the sky
Some have a garden and its planted we know
So now we just wait for rain to make it grow
In the garden there are vegetables galore
Carrot peas potatoes and much much more
Just watch the sun doesn’t burn your skin
And from 10 am-2pm it’s best to stay in
As the flowers bloom to our face comes a smile
Since we know they’ll be there for a little while
We can take a drive down the road in the car
But with expensive gas we won’t be able to go far
And we can visit an old village to learn of yester year
But how would people be if those times return here
In families with the schools and the old general store
The old schools are gone but the stores are around a little more
Through the bush we can go on a little hike
Or maybe fishing or swimming or ride a bike
The grass is cut often as it grows real quick
As its hard to cut if we let it get too thick
We can visit others even if the weather turns bad
Then return home safely and happy not feeling sad
So enjoy the good weather it won’t be here long
Winter is getting closer and summer will be gone
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ont.
The bait and tackle shop sat by the lake
Where folks came to see how many fish they’d take
Some of the fish were Pickerel Bass and Trout
So may everyone only take their limit out
Before the shop is open some people came
Even though it was cloudy and looked like rain
There were canoes wooden and aluminum boats
Will anyone because of their haul try to boast
Early in the morning is the best time to fish
But they were better when cooked in a dish
You went to fish in a car or a pickup truck
But some fished all day without any luck.
Children walked there to take a dip in the lake
As on a hot day a swim sure felt great
The fishing tackle didn’t cost much unlike today
And as bait was live little you also did pay
At night a bonfire was there on the shore
Before the folks left to return later once more
No licence was needed to enjoy the pastime
But today you need one so you won’t get a fine
Some used a stick with a line and a hook
To see if they’d get a fish for supper to cook
Years ago people walked miles to fish through the ice
Then returned at night with a catch so nice
It’s hardly worth the bother to go and fish today
As all fish have mercury and other chemicals I say
I’ve never fished much as I’d rather go for a swim
Instead of hoping for a fish the water was good to be in.
Winston Ralph – Bancroft, ON
The lamp on the table was lit every night
So folks could see to get around in the fading light
The stove was full of wood to keep the house nice
As no one wished for the water pail to be solid ice
Father sat down with a paper in his big chair
To read the news and happenings around there
And mother sat in her rocker and knitted away
It was the only time she could sit every day
The children done homework there at the table
And they done it all even if they weren’t able
All chores the children had were done before dark
Getting wood water and for kindling a little bark
The dog slept by the stove as all day it was outside
And felt like getting warm there by the stove fireside
Outside the cat wandered and looked around
To see if a mouse or squirrel could be found
The cattle were fed and bedded in the barn
Where they knew there wouldn’t be any harm
All the harvest was put away it was well into the fall
So they had lots of food if someone did call
There were pickles, berries and jams galore
And others would say you have more here than a store
The store was four miles away and there was no car
Food was prepared for winter as the store was too far
Next morning father said goodbye as he left to cut wood
Cutting wood kept us fit others should do it if they could
There he sat on a tree while he ate his lunch
And remarked that morning he had cut a big bunch
Coming home at night he stamped his feet at the door
The said “Lord willing” tomorrow I’ll cut a little more.
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ont.
The old milk house isn’t used anymore
As it sits near the barn with a lock on the door
The cows aren’t milked by hand like years ago
Since today were told to hurry that we all know
Today milking by hand would be a big chore
The reason little of it is done now anymore
The separator is silent sitting there covered in dust
It should be in a museum and folks say it must
Yes there in the museum are things from long ago
But some folks say what is it as I don’t know
We older folks know as we used them in the past
And our memories of earlier times will always last
Today machines do the work and people get the pay
Large salaries for little work is ruining us I’ll say
Years ago all farm work was done by hand
Yes the older folks worked hard on their land
No one caused trouble they were tired from toil
Cutting wood harvesting and tilling the soil
There was no need for doctors like there is today
As folks were healthy from working all day
We’re told things are speeding up how untrue
In the stores buttons are pressed holding up me and you
Years ago gas stations everywhere could be found
Now with more cars the stations are few around
People aren’t punished for wrong just get a good time
And the taxpayer pays but no one does whine.
Winston Ralph
Bancroft, ON
[The Stevensville painting was done in circa 1924 by B's ather Harold Fox, aged 10.]
The weather is nasty its cold outside
So we all will spend more time inside
We will turn up the heat to take off the chill
And our stomachs with food we will fill
The highways are snowy and slippery once again
If we fall a broken bone will cause us some pain
The gardens are finished for another year
If we look at them we shed no tears
Folks will be out on snowmobiles just cruising around
While others on snowshoes or skating will be found
The good weather will be back in a little while
So I hope your face always has a big smile
Some days we may feel tough and a little sick
But the good weather will make you better real quick
Christmas is gone were starting a new year
Will it be a good one or stormy I do fear
We are eating food that was put away last fall
And with the spring we’ll say we ate it all
There will be storms and the wind will blow
Yes the power may go out this we all know
We’re told if you don’t have to travel then stay at home
Where you’ll be safe even if you are all alone
As the weather warms up we’ll think about seeds
So they can be planted and we’ll have food to supply our needs
Some may wish for Florida and then go on down
Where there they’ll be happy without any frown
Yes there in Florida or some other warm place
They should always have a big smile on their face
But most others will stay here and shovel snow
Because for any place else we just can’t go.
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft
When the farmer woke up he saw it was a sunny day
So after breakfast he went out to bale some hay
The wheat was ready to be cut down
Then with the tractor later in the field he as found
The cows waited each night for milking time
As they knew he’d be in away before nine
The oil truck came and filled up the tank
But after seeing the bill he didn’t say thanks
His wife had supper ready when he sat down to eat
Feeling this farming life is sure getting me beat
All the children have left for jobs far away
So for help he had to hire and them also pay
The farmer’s job isn’t easy with the pay real good
And working long days he’d never leave if he could
The tractor has a problem that he must solve and get going
As snow is coming soon that he is knowing
After milking in the morning the cows are put out
Then in the evening he hopes again for the same amount
When done with the crops he cuts some logs
And sends animals to market in the fall including hogs
If he was sick the neighbours done the chores
But now a days I feel its one thing that’s no more
What he buys is expensive there’s a mortgage over his head
He feels that paying out money he’ll never get ahead
At night he crawls into bed and sleeps like he is dead
While troubles and concerns pass through his head
There is no thanks for him there under the hot sun
But I thank him each day for the work he has done
He can’t go far with cows to milk each day
And if someone is hired to them he’d have to pay
If it wasn’t for the farmer what would we all do
There’s less of them each day trouble is coming for me and you
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ontario
The old school house sat on the prairie so wide
And we’ll never know how many tales it does hide
As most pupils are gone that went there years ago
Some older ones may be alive since others may know
They walked from home a mile or two around
And since they were tired they just sat down
In the winter they built the fire so the school was nice
When the teacher and other pupils came not a room of ice
Their lunch pail was one that had jam in it before
And the boys had bare feet in the summer coming in the door
They didn’t need a gym as they got their exercise coming to school
So the teacher taught large classes as they didn’t act the fool
In the morning before they came there were chores to do
At night returning from school they also found a few
They cleaned the pig pen and gave the cows some hay
And the garden was weeded also no time to play
Eggs had to be gathered and the chickens were fed
Their days were filled with chores until time for bed
They stayed at home in the spring and helped plant crops
And the fall was the same until the harvest did stop
In the summer they were in the hayfield forking hay
As everything was done manually back in the olden days
There was also wood to be cut and put in a pile
While the feast of each meal sure made them smile
Sap was boiled down in a pan each and every spring
As this was the sweetener they used on all things
Others skidded logs in the bush at a young age
And when told to do it they didn’t go into a rage
The garden was harvested in the fall and things put away
Since little food was bought they had food for cold days
Saturday night they were free and took the buggy to town
To see friends have a dance or just look around
They had little education but designed many things
Which made them feel like some earthly King
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft
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