Results for ‘POEMS’
[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
Small villages are disappearing there’s nothing much anymore
Not like back in the olden days of yore
The schools went from early Sept until late June
But must have closed now yes much too soon
The children are bused to a bigger school farther away
Even though a higher price for fuel we all pay
Fuel is high priced but at the school there’s many cars
Youngsters drive now even though they don’t come far
The stores are closed also as folks shop elsewhere
Instead of keeping the local going as its right there
The church is closed too and left there alone
Where there’s a yearly service when folks come home
Years ago men met at night there in the store
Where they talked and complained like never before
When someone wished to talk they got on the phone
Which they could do in the privacy of their home
The general store ordered things which usually took awhile
But when it came in on your face was a smile
If the men weren’t in the village on the farm they were found
Unlike today they weren’t travelling the world around
The school buses went each day regardless of the weather
As they had a full load and no one was tethered
Work wasn’t somewhere else it was there on the farm
Like planting crops fixing fences or building a barn
You may not agree but they were the good old days
Since we always done things only the right way
Unlike today you went to bed with an unlocked door
Today if you do it you invite trouble for sure
Yes today crime is encouraged unlike yesteryear
And as long as we do as we do it will continue I fear
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft
Don Messer was a quiet man hardly saying a word
But when he played the fiddle great tunes were heard
He was born in New Brunswick back in nineteen 0 nine
And no one knew he would help them forget hard times
His brother said keep Donald from my fiddle when I’m away
Then at 5 years old Donald found it and started to play
When his brother went west he took the fiddle too
Leaving Donald to wonder now what can I do
Later he got his own which cost $1 and ninety-eight
As it wasn’t his brothers but his own he really felt great
At age 7 before a crowd he felt he was in clover
He knew just one song playing it over and over
His second one was better so he played the neighbourhood
After working the wheat harvest he knew playing was good
He knew a living he could make as folks he did entertain
While his grandpa and others didn’t feel the same
After going to Boston for lessons he returned back home
To form his own band and never again play alone
Charlie Chamberlain went to Saint John to see his wife
Then joined Dons band for the rest of his life
Don wanted to be known locally so he didn’t go far
So he stayed close to home where he went by car
He married and moved everyone to Prince Edward Island
Where life got much better keeping Don smiling
At the first Don was away a lot wishing to be back
Then tried to be home more after his first heart attack
Don Messer and His Islanders they were called after 30 nine
Later he moved to Halifax until the end of the line
The C.B.C. said in 69 it’s time to cancel the show
Even though folks liked it and still would I know
Charlie always sang good either sober or after a drink
While the C.B.C. isn’t like it was thats what I think
I still recall Charlie doing a little stepdance
Yes a reason people tuned in when they had a chance
What I’d give to see Don play and Charlie dance once more
And see the Buchta Dancers as they twirl around the floor
If you don’t remember it or at the show didn’t look
Just read the story by Johanna Bertin its sure a good book.
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft
High on the hill of that old Rockingham town
St Leonards Anglican church there can be found
It was built in 1875 yes back a few years
And to see its condition fills my eyes with tears
A post and beam construction with board and batten siding
As the siding is wood how much rot is it hiding
John Watson came to Canada as he married the family maid
The fee he put to good use as to stay away he was paid
He brought skilled folks with him to build the hamlet
It had a store, school, saw mill etc. and a church you bet
As the town declined with the local lumber trade
The church fell into disuse up there in the shade
The pews font and bell were taken to churches including Killaloe
Why would anyone a thing like that they would do
The last regular service was held in twenty-four
And did the folks wonder if there would be anymore
The roof was reshingled and the back wall they did repair
Then the pews were to go back in the seventies there
John deeded it to the Anglicans in Ottawa before his death
As he knew that shortly he would take his final breath
In 1882 they added a porch communion rail and organ
A stove and belfry and bell followed to make it hum
It was empty before and was the second time again
So did the local folks while looking feel any pain
In May of 67 Bishop Reed of Ottawa done the secularation
Then it became just an old building in our nation
In 1995 a group was formed to undertake its repair
So that for a few more years on the hill it will be there
The crowd was happy for couples when their hearts were entwined
There in that little church up there under the pines
Other times it was sadness they felt when they said goodbye
After carrying someone up the hill without a dry eye
In 2022 there was to be an annual anniversary celebration
To lift the locals spirits and others across our nation
It should be moved to a level spot near the old store
So that older folks wanting to go there won’t have a chore
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ontario
MORE images of the church: [1] … [2] … [3]
I recall mother winding up the old gramophone
As we had no hydro there in our home
She said you’ll have good music in a little while
And to hear Ernie Tubb and others sure made us smile
The great speckled bird by Roy Acuff country music king
Yes it sure lifted our spirits to hear them all sing
I saw a lot of them in Toronto if they put on a show
From work I took a lieu day and to Massey Hall did go
And when folks had to keep food warm going to the fields
Towels were put in a box so the heat couldn’t yield
Go- carts were made of what people could find
And to ride them with no brakes took a contented mind
We didn’t have a go-cart so a buggy took its place
As we passed by the officer had a funny look on his face
If we met a car it was into the ditch and back on the road
Everyone was still on when we stopped yes a full load
Some machinery was repaired and sold once again
To save the cost of a new one and the farmer any pain
Many jokes were played on teachers some not too fair
Like letting her sit down with a tack on the chair
When it happened the strap she brought out
And to the guilty one she laid it on without a doubt
Movies were cheap but farm children seldom did go
As they had chores to do that we all know
Aprons were used to carry eggs and wipe away tears
But few are worn now like in the early years
Fire was a constant worry for people in a town
As all buildings were made of wood sand quickly burnt down
Measles and pneumonia are things the folks did dread
Each time I took sulfa tablets that brought me around
Yes for a few years now I’ve walked the ground
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ont.
Once again folks its January the first month of the year
May no one be glum but always filled with cheer
We don’t know what this new year will bring
Will it be something new or the same old thing
January is a cold month with only thirty-one days
Since its a new year now lets all change our ways
It originated before the year 1000 from Middle English
Coming from the Latin use of the word Januavius
In ancient Roman Culture Janus was a god of doorways
Also beginnings rising and setting of the sun some do say
His name is from the Latin Janus doorway or arcade
He went outside he didn’t stay in the shade
On Jan 1st we celebrate New Year’s day once again
So be careful on ice don’t fall and suffer any pain
For those born Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 your sign is Capricorn
Its Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18 for those then born
Some days will have a lot of ice and snow
And slippery roads will prevail wherever we go
There will be days this month that will be real cold
So bundle up in layers there’s no need to be told
Some folks may stay indoors as much as they can
As they don’t wish to be out with snow on the land
Youngsters will skate out there on the frozen pond
While others will play hockey as winter goes on
May snowmobiling be enjoyed as they glide over the snow
As I done in Toronto and other places back many years ago
Some will take snowshoes to walk over the ground
Since its the only way poor folk are able to get around
If you wish to hibernate put on a sweater and heavy socks
And use a warm blanket so the cold weather won’t shock
New Year’s resolutions folks don’t make anymore
Since to keep them would only make people sore
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, ON
COLD DECEMBER
Well December is here along with winter too
So I hope no one comes down with the flu
The ground for a while will be covered with snow
And some folks may stay in more that we know
Snowmobiles will be out on the trails that I see
May no one suffer an injury by a big tree
Some may go to Florida or other warm place
While most stay here with the wind in our face
Others on a sleigh ride will sing a happy song
As the horse pulls them over the snow there along
Plum pudding is good with eggnog and gingerbread
So for these Christmas treats no one stays in bed
Seeing a wreath on the door along with mistletoe
Gets us in the Christmas spirit that we sure know
Carols will be sung as they’ve been done before
And elves will fill children’s stockings yes once more
Christmas trees are bought and decorated with presents below
So may everyone get something this we all know
Children will be out with toboggans going down the hill
And I know it will give them a really big thrill
The day after Christmas is a British holiday
Where servants get a box but they don’t have to pay
Its the season where everyone needs to be jolly
As they decorate with poinsettia and boughs of holly
Nativity scenes will be put up once again
So may no one say they are causing us pain
The three wise men came bringing gifts for the king
Lets not be a grinch and do the same thing
The winter solstice is on Dec. 21 again this year
But there will be lots of winter after that I fear.
Winston E. Ralph
Hunting season starts again in November this year
And all the hunters hope they get a big deer
They hope for cool weather so the deer doesn’t spoil
As it would be disheartening after all their toil
November is a dreary month with only thirty days
So for snow to show tracks the hunters can pray
Flowers gardens and outdoor chores are now done
And it will be awhile before we’re under the sun
The Legion will lay wreaths and have a parade to remember
All who never returned on the eleventh of November
I thank the veterans for all of our freedom
But would the deceased be happy to see what we’ve become
They were just youngsters as they went off to war
As they felt fighting for Canada wasn’t a big chore
The total Lunar Eclipse Blood moon is visible on November eight
So if you haven’t seen it before you may feel its great
November the eleventh month the new year is coming
After we celebrate Christmas with singing and humming
Shooting stars are visible from Leonid Meteor shower
That will peak Nov 17 and be less every hour
November is the last month of the fall there may be snow
But its been warm all month that we all know
The Zodiac signs are Scorpio and Sagittarius for all born
And the flower is chrysanthemum if born a November morn
The beavers build their dam under a fall moon
So its called beaver moon which will be gone soon
Friendship is symbolized by the November birthstone
Which is yellow topaz to have friendship in our home.
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ontario
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