Poems by Brian A. Bendall

How high's the snowfall, Mama?
"One foot high and rising!"

I'll eat my food and watch the game.
The snow last year was just the same.
I'll gorge myself and loosen my belt.
I know that stuff will only melt.

How high's the snowfall, Mama?
"Two feet high and rising!"

Don't worry Mama, it's okay.
An early thaw is on the way!
Relax, my dear, enjoy the fire.
This snow won't make it any higher!

How high's the snowfall, Mama?
"Four feet high and rising!!"

Okay! Okay! We'll compromise!

I'll get the shovels, you get the guys!
Let's bring this white stuff down to size!
It won't take long to make the run.
We'll build a snowman when we're done!

How high's the snowfall, Mama?
"Six feet high and rising!!"

We cleared a path to the outhouse now,
Thanks to our trusty John Deere plow!
You gotta go? Then do it soon,
Or you might not make back 'til June!

How high's the snowfall, Mama?
"Eight feet high and rising!!!"

The snow's still comin'! It's gotten colder!
Better get the front-end loader!
And we might need an army tank!
We just lost Fred in a huge snowbank!

How high's the snowfall, Mama?
"Land sakes!! It's ten feet high and rising!!!!"

The outhouse now is not in sight!
I gotta whiz, but that's all right!
Make sure you got some pots to spare,
We're gonna need to go...somewhere!

How high's the snowfall, Mama?
"(Sigh).... Take a look outside!!!"

We gotta get this window cleared!
Frank and Tom have disappeared!
It's buried our new car and truck!
It looks like we're plum outta luck!!

How high's the snowfall, Mama?
"Zzzzz... Zzzzz... Zzzzz... Zzzzz...."

Well I'm tired, too, so I'm relaxing,
Even though the roof's collapsing!
It's nice and warm here by the fire.
I know this snow won't get no higher!

Oh, no!!!......We're outta firewood!!!!
.........MAMA!!!!!

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" I heard.
I really hate that lousy bird!
I got home late from Betty Lou's,
But now I've got my chores to do.

After oatmeal, ham and eggs,
An outhouse trip to ease my legs,
I braced myself to greet the day
And do the work that came my way.

I fed the chickens, slopped the hogs,
Milked the cows and bathed the dogs.
I marked the heifers with our brand
And wished we had a few more hands!

I plowed an acre for our beans,
Baled the hay and tore my jeans!
I patched the roof and fixed the gate.
I guessed my lunch would have to wait.

I mended fences 'round the farm,
Said, "Howdy!" to the cute school marm
And stood there sweating like a fool,
Wishing I was back in school!

Walking back, our bull attacked!
I dodged the cow flaps in my track!
I made it safely to the fence.
My loss of breath was my expense!

The hayloft boards I nailed were new.
The ladder broke, I fixed that, too.
The barn door hinges were replaced.
There's still another job I faced!

While in the barn, I shoed a horse....
...My energy had run its course....
And as my body hit the ground...
...I saw the sun was going down!

"Come and get it!" Supper calls!
I dragged my body from the stall.
A day I'd rather not repeat.
I hoped I still had strength to eat!

I cleaned manure off my shoes
And wondered if I'd paid my dues.
I brushed my clothes and washed my hands,
Then went to see what food was planned.

I pulled the screen door open wide,
Then struggled just to step inside!
There sat Ma and there sat Pa
With gravy dripping down his jaw!

"There's yer seat." My Papa said,
"Or would you rather go to bed?!"
I shook my head and sat me down.
I ate and didn't make a sound.

"In the morning," Papa said,
"There's sheep to shear.  There's twenty head!
A cord of wood you gotta cut,
And boy....you better move yer butt!"

At last, exhausted in my bed,
I thought of what my Papa said.
I have to do what I've been told!
What else is for a twelve year old?!