Tag: october

by Lucy M. Young

It had been warm that fall,
There had been very little frost.
The grass was lush and green in all the meadows.
The leaves, 'though shot with gold and scarlet,
Clung tightly to the branches,
And by Columbus Day, the farmers had not yet brought home 
the young stock
From the summer pasture on the mountain.

That night, October twelfth, without warning it turned cold.
The clouds built up with ominous intent.
A strong, cold north wind whistled 'round the chimneys
and the windows,
Then snowflakes started falling thick and fast.

All night it snowed.
The wind piled drifts of snow around the buildings.
The roads were clogged, we huddled in our homes.
Our thoughts and prayers were ever with the cattle 
on the mountain
With only trees for shelter from the storm.

At daybreak, soon as chores were done, the farmers came together
To try to find and bring their cattle home.
All day, through snowy woods and drifts, they searched the frigid mountain;
We waited and we worried and we prayed.

Long after dark we heard them coming through the frozen darkness;
'Though wet and cold and hungry, they were safe.
Not one was lost, they all came safely home.
We knew our prayers were answered -
God had been upon the mountain
And kept them safe throughout the stormy night.