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SANPETE PIONEERS Linnie Findlay Professional First Place Poetry A steady snow, from dark skies in April, Melts as it falls on rocks and bare places. But leaves brush and low plants white. Cold drizzling rain soaks the soft sticky clay. Making all things wet outdoors Did Pioneers shiver in the wet cold-warmth of Spring As they walked from coveted wagons or dug-out hillsides To lay up cabin logs, or stone for fireplaces'1 And what of the children, who had lived on Scant rations, carefully measured and preserved? Were they hungry through all that first winter? Did they hunt for sego lily roots and spring greens Barefoot, with cold sticky mud oozing between cold toes? Did April come with warming With promise of Spring, And discovery of rattlesnakes Sharing their hill-side lodging? Were shoes that had crossed plains and mountains And the trail-blazing trip to Sanpete worn out? And rags that had wrapped their feet disintegrating? Were hides of animals that died in that frozen winter Used to fashion shoes for those hardy pioneers Who first came to this Valley A steady snow falling in April, Melting as it hits asphalt and cement. But leaving grass white, and clustering In white "blossoms" on budding Box Elder trees, Making all things wet outside We look back and marvel At strength of Mormon Pioneers. 81 |
