Benches There was a bench in our back yard Where grandpa sat to whittle. There was a dead spot in the grass From Copenhagen spittle. When I saw him sitting there,
Wood shavings at his feet, I would run across the yard And I would take a seat. He would give me some advice On how to live my life. The points that he would make to me Were sharper than his knife. “Your day is never quite complete Till you’ve made someone laugh”. “If you’re not sure about the price Then don’t sell more than half”. I was called to jury once, While the Bench looked down. My answers caused the judge to smile, The defense lawyer frown. It seems the prosecutor was A friend of many years. The defense lawyer sent me off, From me there were no tears. Last week I sat upon a bench Between my mom and wife, We were gathered at the church To celebrate a life. As the service did proceed, I had time to reflect And think about a life well lived And how he earned respect. In the years he worked for me He always did his part. For his country, for his church, He gave with all his heart. Next week I will be in DC, As I walk to the Hill, I expect to see some folks Who there are homeless still. They’re not just stuck in a rut, They’re deep down in a trench. Living life from day to day In a park upon a bench. March madness is upon the land, The bench will play a part. Tournaments are not just won By those who get to start. I just had a chance to watch Dakota, State class B. The value of a bench was shown Right there for all to see. Two boys came in from off the bench And before they were done, With the shot that beat the buzz, They pumped in twenty one. Every farm will have a bench On one wall in the shop, Where all the broken parts and Pieces pile up on the top. But that is not the most important Bench out on the farm. Who you have that’s ready next To come in is the charm. Do they know how to dribble well, And do they know the plays? Are they set to take the ball In your later days? Do they only shoot for threes Or is their defense tight? Are they all set to go on Any day or any night? It’s hard to be a coach and know The proper things to say. It’s hard to step aside and watch The younger farmers play. If your lucky and you’re wise When grandkids run to you They may ask you what it is That you think they should do. To be a grandpa on a bench You do not need to whittle, And I would urge you to forgo The Copenhagen spittle.
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Write Field column is written by David Kragnes. David farms near Felton, MN. He is a former Chairman of American Crystal Sugar Co., and currently serves on the board of directors of CoBank.
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