Old Limestone School

Old Limestone School

By Larry Linville

Proudly and yet lonely

stands a limestone school

on a flint hill in Kansasa

stately monument

to a day so long ago

when she was the hub of activity

for a small rural community

of hard working farmers.

She educated their children

as a gathering place

for talent shows and box suppers

and ballot boxes.

Her approach was a dusty path

where children walked

or rode their horses

with books and lunch boxes at their side.

This vanished path has been replaced

with flowers

and weeds

and prairie grass.

Because she was not made with wood

her rock walls stand tall and straight

like a tall slender deer

slowly looking all around

to check the horizon for danger.

Her pane-less windows

let in the bright sun

the spring rains

and cold winter blizzards.

The bell in the tower

poises ready to peal

a friendly call to the community

if someone pulls gently

on the strong hemp rope.

From time to timea former student

makes the long rugged trek

to behold this old friend

and recall so manypriceless memories.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

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