A Pioneer

My husband wrote this fitting tribute to my dad after his passing away in 1997.

A Pioneer Went Home Today

A pioneer went home today.
He grew up with this land
And tamed the earth.
Be broke the sod,
And planted the seed,
And brought it to its fullness.
A pioneer went home today.

His big hands, gnarled and rough,
Tested the stalk, ripe or tough,
And brought the harvest in.
His gentle grip enfolded
The tiny fingers
Of children, grandchildren,
Great-grandchildren.
His big hands, gnarled and rough.

He watched the seasons pass away.
Burned brown with summer sun
And winter winds,
His face was etched with wrinkles
At the last
And wisdom from the years.
he watched the seasons pass away.

He worked the stock
And ate the dust and sweat
Of countless corrals.
And spring whitefaced calves
Eyed him in all their innocence
As he judged with practiced eye.
And worked the stock.

His God lifted him up
When he was bent low
With rustling prairied grass
in face of storm's destruction.
Resilient, tough, leather skinned,
He faced the winds
And his God lifted him up.

A pioneer went home today.
He finished the final furrow
And answered God's call.
His harvest is complete.
The new seed is sprouted and growing.
The spring grass is green and fresh
And rises anew where he rests.

A pioneer went home today.
(Lloyd Joseph Skold 1911-1997)
by Gary Ozias