Between your walls
all those years ago.
What was it like?
Were you cold in the winter or
did your fire keep you warm?
Trees from the woods made your walls.
Old oaks from a savanna that is no more,
now covered with buckthorn galore.
We know their age from counting their rings,
the trees were there long before you could sing.
Seventy five years before 1861 those trees grew.
Right on your property, because the seeds flew.
But, then they served a purpose for you.
Walls.
They kept you safe during the long cold days
and in the summer too, when there was a misty haze.
Wisconsin was logged.
Was it during your time?
The forest was used for fuel, fire, shelter, and more;
Now it still stands for us to adore.
Among the hickory, oak, birch, and aspen too,
Stands a lone cabin that was made for you.
There it has stood through the test of time,
like a sentry guarding the woods, so divine.
The cabin remains alone on the brink,
Now all we see is greyed wood
and white chink.
But then, so long ago there was
Cutting,
Dragging,
Lifting,
Setting,
Leveling,
Filling.
All to make a cabin
in the woods.
1861.
Amazing!
What will your logs be next?
A mantle?
Coasters?
Steps?
A bench?
You will be remembered, long after you’re gone.
A place of history tucked away in the coulee
visible to all those who remember each dawn.
Today is Poetry Friday. I’ve had a little trouble writing this past week and cannot put my finger on why. I feel stalled or stagnant, not a block but more that I cannot put into words what I want to say. This past week we did some work in our woods where a cabin from 1861 stands. It is not a historical landmark, but interesting, in any case. Today, I used my images of the cabin and wonderings about its past to fuel my poem. I hope you enjoy it. Today’s poetry round up is hosted by wee words for wee ones! Be sure to check out author Bridget Magee’s blog for a fun exercise on color (one of my favorite ways to write poetry)! Thanks!
The Apples in My Orchard 
My husband and I bought a cabin a long while ago & now I’ve passed it on to another family. It did not have so long a history, but some. I like that you spoke to the cabin, wondering about its past. Best wishes for more writing next week!
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I probably should write a postscript to this post. The cabin was on some land my husband and I wanted. It’s 14 acres and very private. The cabin was part of the deal….We’re the first owners outside of the original family but do not intend to keep the structure. It is not habitable. But, it does make for a nice story. Thanks for your comments and good wishes!
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I love these old structures and their histories, their stories – what a lovely homage to this enduring little edifice.
such beautiful photos, too. I have friends who make furniture and art from wood in dismantled old barns – I like to think of these as legacy pieces. Keeping history alive.
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Thanks, Fran! Your comments are so kind! I love this cabin but it will serve no purpose for us and is pretty far gone. My husband is trying to extract the wood from the logs to make something for us to keep from it. He is a skilled furntiture maker, so I’ll be pleased with whatever he comes up with. It’ll be a good story to tell.
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Wow, I think that cabin “unstuck” your writing, Carol! I like how you wove the history and ecology of the area into your poem. Your words gave a complete picture of the “greyed wood and white chink” of that cabin. Thanks for sharing your neck of the woods. ; )
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Bridget, Thanks so much! I appreciate your comments! I am glad you liked the poem. Thanks, again for hosting!
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Your poem is lovely! That cabin gave you lots of poetic fuel!
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Thank you so much!
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Carol, I love texts that retrace moments of historical times as you did here. Mixing history with poetry is grand. Keep on writing these stories.
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Thanks, Carol! I will try to do more of this! I appreciate the positive feedback and inspiration from you!
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