A beautiful recent prayer in poem form

[Soapweed]

The Rancher's Prayer

by Bobette Schofield

The rancher looked toward heaven
And said, "God where have you been?
Do you know we had a blizzard,
With rain and snow and wind?

You know I built this herd of mine____
With blood and sweat and tears.
You know the work and worry,
As I struggled through the years.

Now as I stand and look around,
I see that it is gone.
I don't know if I have the strength
To rebuild or go on."

God looked down from heaven____
Saw the pain there in his eyes.
He heard the sadness in his voice.
He knew the sacrifice.

He said, "My son, you're not alone.
I'm walking there with you____
I'll give you all the strength you need
For what you have to do.

I'll give you courage to go on,
Through all this loss and pain.
I'll give you hope to start once more,
And build your herd again.

I know that this is who you are____
And not just what you do.
And as you're making your fresh start,
I'll be right there with you.

Do not think this is a failure,
Or that you've done something wrong.
You're an example of the spirit
That makes South Dakota strong.

So stand up straight and tall my son,
For I have faith in you.
Put yesterday behind you now,
For we've got work to do!"

 

[ranch hand]

The Storm Atlas
By Cheyenne Glade Wilson® – written on 10/9/13

The storm came in hard and fast,
Like nothing anyone remembers from the past.

First came the rain, so cold and wet,
At this point, nobody would fret.

Then came lots of snow,
And the wind began to blow.

The rancher began to pace,
A look of worry crept to his face.

"How are my animals out in this mess?"
It was his only concern that he cared to confess.

Those animals help to pay the bills,
They are fending for themselves out in those hills.

But his concern was far more than for money or such,
He cared for those critters so very, very much.

He shed blood, sweat and tears,
For them over the years.

They were all partners and relied on that trust,
They needed each other, which is why he cussed.

"Damn you, Mother Nature, and the fits that you throw,
The hand that you've dealt us is a might low blow!"

As the storm passed, the rancher did look,
At what he saw, oh, how he shook.

The dead and the dying were all that was seen,
The few survivors were gaunt and lean.

The losses were huge, far above his worst fears,
Soon began more discovery and then came the tears.

Sorrow came next and soon disbelief,
Followed by regret and undeniable grief.

How will they recover many do ask,
It's what ranchers do, they tend to their task.

They work hard day and night,
And no matter what, they don't give up the fight.

But the good times outweigh the bad,
So we keep that in mind for better times had.

Things like this are very hard to take,
So many lives lost are hard to forsake.

Just know that this too shall soon be in the past,
Ranchers are a tough bunch, which is why they last.

Prayers are free; there is no cost,
So let's bow our heads and remember all that's been lost.

Let's pray for better days and for the heaviness of heart,
Let's pray for strength and for another start