TWO FARMERS REST FOREVER
Oh glories of that first young love consumed and of lives gone by so fast
Now they lay sleeping side by side together, forever, a saga of their past
Can anyone began to know the passion that lived within them deep inside
And who among us can say this great drama of life ended when they died
.
They may be forgotten as the wheels of time over them silently drives
But the ethic they lived and passed on to those who followed yet survives.
They are more than carved names on granite that marks their final repose
Their lives stand ageless testimony to lives lived well, lives they so chose
.
It was to a farmer's life they were born, it was from a farmer's life they died
To the soil and the land, to the love of family always, their lives were tied.
The years have dried the tears of loved ones for this couple together so near
But on their stone a single shaft of wheat says, two farmers forever rest here
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I wrote this tribute in memory of my Mother and Father in law, Wilbur and Susie Askilson Stayner. Both were born into farm families and both were born on farms. Wilbur was born near Hampton, Iowa. Susie was born near Bur Oak, Iowa. I never knew better, more loving, people in my life. They were also two of the most hard working people I ever knew. My Mother in law was a helpmate to my Father in law in every way. Susie was no stranger to a tractor and spent many days in the fields alongside her husband when needed. Susie also cooked huge farmer meals and took them to the field when time was pressed.
As hard as they worked they always took time out to have fun. We took many fishing trips, camping in Canada, with them. We traveled thousands of miles in our campers staying many nights in the wilderness. They were some of the best times of my life. As long as my wife, our children and myself are alive, they will never be forgotten. The American, Midwestern work ethic they contributed to will live forever. They sleep together, forever, in Memorial Park Cemetery, in Mason City, Iowa
© Roger Eugene Corell, June 2, 2006 |
