Thursday, April 06, 2006
Two Miles to Starkeys'
Two Miles To Starkeys'
1954
A stroll out in the pasture to catch the "Sugar" mare,
some tasty maize to guarantee she holds her station there.
A bridle for her head today, no saddle girded down.
She hopes our path leads somewhere else besides straight east to town.
Across Putt's cotton patch we see the shimmering waves of heat.
The Caprock's Sharp- and Flat-Top Peaks lay beauty at our feet.
We pass the long- abandoned shack where fondest memories dwell,
and the muddy tank where swimming is our passion, truth to tell.
There's Harley's windmill where the turnips grow so big and sweet,
the new house built with Uncle Lee in mind, and kept so neat.
We cross the blacktop leading only to the county line.
They're adding to it now to climb the Caprock for all time.
A mile of sandy road leads down to Starkeys' humble home
where Scout (the spotted horse) and rattlesnakes and bobcats roam.
There Charlie meets me at the door and, with his friendly grin,
says, "Lay your saddle in the shade, old girl, and come on in!"
1954
A stroll out in the pasture to catch the "Sugar" mare,
some tasty maize to guarantee she holds her station there.
A bridle for her head today, no saddle girded down.
She hopes our path leads somewhere else besides straight east to town.
Across Putt's cotton patch we see the shimmering waves of heat.
The Caprock's Sharp- and Flat-Top Peaks lay beauty at our feet.
We pass the long- abandoned shack where fondest memories dwell,
and the muddy tank where swimming is our passion, truth to tell.
There's Harley's windmill where the turnips grow so big and sweet,
the new house built with Uncle Lee in mind, and kept so neat.
We cross the blacktop leading only to the county line.
They're adding to it now to climb the Caprock for all time.
A mile of sandy road leads down to Starkeys' humble home
where Scout (the spotted horse) and rattlesnakes and bobcats roam.
There Charlie meets me at the door and, with his friendly grin,
says, "Lay your saddle in the shade, old girl, and come on in!"
Today I received an invitation to join the huge Starkey clan for their yearly family reunion and Easter egg hunt on that snaky hill where I spent many happy hours as a teenager. Charlie and Bessie had about a dozen kids, some of the best athletes in the Flomot school, and good as gold. Charlie suffered with debilitating arthritis for years before passing on to his reward. Bessie was nearing her hundredth birthday when she was injured in a fall, and no longer had the will to keep fighting. But what a legacy this tough, loving couple left the world! I'm sure that on Easter Sunday the hills will be alive with the sound of Starkeys.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
