This Land Grows Good People

It crossed my mind just yesterday
As I was cleaning on my way
To where I'm going, (God knows how)
And I picked out that calf and cow –

That this is land that's done its task,
It raised some people in the past –
Good people, then their children too –
So like they say, “Here’s back at you”.

It happens as we give some space
To God to act with human race;
Perhaps that land still has some life,
To channel Grace of God, not strife.

Just like ‘Christine’ in novel one,
Who made some space – by time she'd done
In giving, many more were blessed –
Her life and land brought forth the best.

I have this book ’bout riding types
Who have no horses, but they like
To be about their equine task,
So enter land of give-and-ask.

Not sure just how this all works out
But giving starts up life, no doubt –
“Something for free you gave to me
And I'll of it make something be”.

Those words the farmer spoke one day
As he explained the homestead way;
For that expressed a way to be
Out on that land he gave to me –

Not to mine to have, but mine to use,
A chance to work as I might choose,
That ground-truth task for novels five
Might be complete – with folks alive.

I smile as I recall that day
I told how Church and business pay –
“Like Psalmist's tree by water's edge;
Organic-like's the way”, I said.

“The Church should run like business, see?
And business run like Psalmist's tree –
Draw up resource, don't spray through branch –
Convert to fruit – in that's your chance.”

He asked, “So show me one time when
Someone has gained success, and then
I will consider what you say –
Else chase yourself, go on your way.”

Ten years it's been to understand
The Psalmist's way of trees and land;
And now I find I am living out
The words I spoke – without his doubt.

I wrote it out in novels five,
(The ones I check, now I'm alive);
And as I give a second chance,
I sense this rising song and dance:

"Give – and to you it shall be given
Just like the way you've been forgiven –
Good measure, pressed, and over-run,
Placed in your lap – abundant fun!

“Judge not, and others don't condemn”
(Two other parts with same amen
Christ spoke that day – four parts there be
Which pour out life just like that tree).

Lord, I'm beginning here to see
How rural life still comes to be;
For fertile land still gives its bloom,
And even more, when You have room.

Yes, prairie land's produced its crops
Of kids and cattle, wheat with ox
And plow, in days of pioneers –
First Nations to, before their tears.

Although some say, “Shut Prairies down,
Our economic theory's sound –
Buy from outside, on welfare be
Its global life for you and me”–

That echoes of an urban view
Which doesn't know what trees can do
When planted on some rural shore –
Producing fruit, and so much more.

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