“Whistles”

The farmer plows his land amongst the thorns and thistles.

And through the pain he takes command, and while he works he whistles.

His son loves to play guitar – sing and write down lyrics.

Songs of a hired hand. Someday he hopes his pa will hear it.

The farmer likes the music, but worries it gets in the way.

Of the son getting all the work done that has to be done for the day.

The son works steady – keeping pace and obeying every order.

His pay is his family safe from his dad a shining quarter.

Another down, many more to go. For a new set of strings he works he hardest.

In the barn he strums all night while his dad prays for the harvest.

Rain and sun – the perfect balance for all the crops to flourish.

The farmer feeds the land and keeps his family nourished.

All is well that is until his eldest son gets up the courage.

To tell his pa he’s got a song that he thinks will get him furthest.

From the land where he was hand because music was his purpose.

His pa saw and dryly replied, “Well go play your show. When you fail, you’ll know where to find me.”

His son set out to play his song, leaving it all behind him.

Working the land his whole life made him strong, so when he played he thanked his pa – and had great success and proved him wrong.

And each month he wrote his ma.

Great stories found in each epistle.

While the father plows the land through the thorns and thistles.

And through the pain he takes command, but while he works he whistles.

-Lake