Slice of Life - My Dad Has a Country Heart

I love participating in Slice of Life, started by Two Writing Teachers and writing a story, reflection, or musing at least once a week.

 

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about using the mentor text, My Mama Had a Dancing Heart, in my classroom.  I wrote my own as my students tried out the form.  However, I only got as far as spring at first.  This week, I'm sharing the rest with you.   

 

My Dad Has a Country Heart

 

 

And in summer

the sunlight

dapple-dotted the pond,

and the once fuzzball ducklings

grew to be

sleek and white,

cruising silently through the water,

leaving rippled Vs

behind them.

 

We'd ride bareback

bounce-jouncing to the rhythm

of "Splish-splash

I was taking a bath

long about a Saturday night..."

Dad's strong sinewy arms

wrapped around me,

holding the reins.

 

And in fall

when the tree-line turned

from green to gold

and hay bales

were ready to be thrown-stacked

into the musty barn,

 

We'd gather the dogs,

put our boots

and camouflage on,

and sleep-step into

the truck.

Sugar, our English Setter

would whine-tremble in her spot

on the truck bed floor,

ready to go pheasant hunting

on Thanksgiving morning.

 

And in winter

the snow piled up high,

drifting against the skeletons

of hedge bushes,

the coats of the horses

thick with fur,

 

We'd head out

early in the morning

to feed the animals,

knocking ice out of water buckets,

our breath curl-steaming

in the icy air.

On the way inside,

we'd pile firewood

into leather carriers,

anxious to feel the warmth

of the stove.

 

Today, my dad still

smiles his James Dean smile

and has strong hands and lanky legs,

and we love to reminisce

about my growing up days,

our horseback-riding,

hay-stacking,

firewood-cutting,

bird-hunting,

duck-raising,

country days.

 

My dad has a country heartand he shared that heart with me.