Gratitude Monday -- Poetic Memory Edition

Photo of Jocelyn II, courtesy Terry Utas

I grew up on a farm and it was pretty damned good. I am grateful for all I got to do and for the great memories of it.

Here's a poem that sorts it out better than a whole whack of description ever  could.

_____

Jocelyn

I am an old woman now.

I sit in the sun

and I remember.

I remember how the sun felt on my face

when I was young.

It feels the same today.

I sat under trees

or in them.

I climbed on the combine

and jumped off into the waiting arms of nothing.

I hung from the swingset by my knees for a

fresher view of the world.

And I threw rocks in the creek.

I rode my bike

and sometimes took it apart for fun.

I slept in freshly ploughed dirt

and swam in mud puddles.

I am an old woman now.

I sit in the sun and remember.

And I smile.

______

Jocelyn is my middle name.  When I was very young we had a jersey cow that I named Jocelyn. Using the name for the poem served as an anchor.
Several years cousin Terry offered her internet circle the chance to name the new ranch calves and I had the honour of naming the above calf Jocelyn.

As for being an old woman, I am not even close. That's straight up poetic licence, that is.