Brad.....

 As the gentle winds carry me away

I look down to see the trees of green

The land covered in growth

The family farm

Oh, the memories of my life on the farm

The days of young, helping Dad with the cattle

Riding horse, fixing fence

Swathing the grass for hay

Mom's home cooked meal, sifting through the air

As we were quitting for the day

My two sisters running to the house

 As they were finishing up their chores

I see my young adulthood

As I finished up school

Headed out to work, to make a living

The oilfields, which I loved

A few more years to pass

I finally find the woman to share my life with

With dreams of tomorrow

As we raised two beautiful girls

As they gathered their wings to fly the roost

Cherishing our memories

Of their childhood past

They found their loves

Married and starting families

Bringing grandchildren, to our family to love

As the chapters of our book continues

Mine has come to a close

Keep writing the family story

There are many chapters to go

I'll be here, to never leave the farm

Remember me with love, laughter too

No sorrow please

My love, my arms will always be around you

To guide you, hug you through

Remember me with a smile

Lots of love

Stories to tell

Memories to share....

Michael VanDyke C@2026

A day of beauty

 The lake was of fantom blue

The winds blowing in from the south,

 just enough breeze to keep you cool

We saw the beaver swimming through

A first for us

Was it looking for food or a way home

I found a turtle, stuck in the rocks, it was upside down

I pulled it loose, as it was still alive

So, I gently put it back into the water

To see it gradually swim away

The Canadian geese cackling, as they lay nesting

The ducks were flocking and paddling on the water

Barn swallows making their nests, under the bridge

Flying every direction given

The fish as they jumped up from the waters to grab a bug or three

Also giving us our bounty, with a fish or two

As we packed up to head home, we started our drive

Watching the cattle graze in the wild grasses of the reserves

The rooster pheasants feeding as we drive past them

Also, the deer eating the young grass, as we drove by

The sun was high in the sky

With the gentle breezes

Fish in the cooler

Plus, good company

Making for a perfect day

For us both to enjoy...

Michael VanDyke @C 2026

Me

 I don't do that much talking these days

These days I seem to think a lot more

My hands, they seem to talk for me now

The crafting of my woodwork

The carving of my rocks

The thoughts I put on paper with my pen

I'll sit and show you how it's done

Don't ask me, just watch

One day, I saw my reflection, mirrored in the sky

With the seasons of my life

I'm getting older

My journey has been long

It's time for the quiet, let nature talk to me

From the birds in flight, chirping has they fly

Squirrels running aridic, jumping from branch to branch

Chittering at one another

A deer, looking up to see, to realize, it's only me

And become at ease

My hands are my words

My eyes are a book

Sit down with me, let's just take a look....

Michael VanDyke C@ 2026

A Day in a small town

 I could hear the howl of the coyotes

The one, very vocal

The others to follow

One, two, four to seven

I saw the Sparrows gather

Looking for seeds, maybe a few bugs

Flying under the vehicles, or in the branches of the trees

The Black birds in a bunch

Eating the fallen leaves and bark

I heard the caws of the Raven, as it flew by

Was it looking for food or just to say hi

The two bald Eagles sitting in the tall cottonwood tree

Silent, but very alert, looking at me

I see the Grouse gathered in a covey

As if to be gossip and fly away

The Pheasant rooster with its startling screech

As it takes flight to get away

I heard the Hoot Owl, in the early twilight

Telling me morning has broken

I was also watching the Magpies

Hanging around, knowing a meal or two was coming their way

In the distant sky I hear a lone goose in flight

Wondering if it flew in to early from the south

Walking down the road, a few stray cats

Going places, we wouldn't know

Maybe getting a few bites of food

From people that care

This is a day I see

In our small town...

Michael VanDyke @C 2026