The Would-Be Pioneers

RuthShe was a little princess, flaunting her curls and bowsHer mother always had her in pretty little clothesShe had the boys all wrapped 'round her toesMaybe somewhat spoilt, Heaven only knowsFrom "Tulsie" Town, life was rich I supposeBut Mom and Pop thought it besta goesThey loaded up, said goodbye to their woesTheir hopes, their dreams in the ColoradosThey never made it, as the story goesBut found their purpose in helping thoseThe ones in need whether friends or foesAnd gave new life to the PueblosThe ranches they worked, where the rooster crowsBrought blisters and aches from their heads to their toesThey toiled in the soil, as the mighty wind blowsWith dust in their throats and some in their noseThe plains were hard, where little growsThe winters were harsh and they nearly frozeLife was taught, by the seeds that were sowedGrowing through hardships and struggles I'm toldBut with Ruth firmly planted, and weeds pruned with hoesMom and Pop led, down the straight and narrow rowsWith a sprinkling of nurturing love, all in one large doseCaused the flower to face the sun, and blossom as a roseR.W.P.–2011