Elver
a fine farmstead on the South Dakota plains
rests on an ice age remnant
lateral moraine
its twin seen to the west
beyond the Jim River.
so much this farm in Elver
so much Elver in this farm
modest, hard working,
generous.
its beginning
a sod hut,
fifteen children.
a previous hut?
earth lodge?
hard years, family ties, a move west
the farm remained.
your last days
images of the farm,
its people,
its community swirled.
what now that you are gone?
our last closest link to our past;
the end of an era.
must hold you close
the rest of our lives
© Gary Hehn, December 2014