A friend recently told me his grandpa had passed away. His granddad had farmed in the same community his whole life — he was 90 and was still active, he had even helped with the lengthy weather-ravaged harvest this past fall. From the stories I heard from the combine, I knew he must be loved by many. The impact he had on others was also clear as the community mourned him — 500 or so people came out to show their sympathy. What a tribute!
The following poem was this grandpa’s favorite and was read as part of the eulogy. Glad to say I know quite a few men and women this poem could be about and, to all of them, I want to say thank you. And I don’t want to wait on paying tribute to you. Oh and for those on twitter, I’ll say it in hashtag form too #thankafarmer. I hope you combine the humility of this poem, with a sense of pride as you tell your story.
I’m Just a Farmer, Plain and Simple
By Bobby Collier
I’m just a farmer,
Plain and simple.
Not of a royal birth
But rather, a worker of the earth.
I know not of riches
But rather, of patches on my britches
I know of draught and rain,
Of pleasure and pain.
I know of the good and the bad,
The happy and the sad.
I am a man of emotions.
A man who loves this land,
And the beauty of its sand.
I know of a spring’s fresh flow
And autumn’s golden glow,
Of a newborn calf’s hesitation,
And the eagle’s destination.
I know of tall pines,
And long, waiting lines.
Of the warmth of campfires,
And the agony of flat tires.
But I am a man who loves his job
And the life I live.
I am a man who works with God,
I cannot succeed without his help,
For you see,
I’m just a farmer
Plain and simple.
(Editor’s note: I found this poem posted in lots of places around the internet but could not find a way to link back tot he author or his family. I’d love to be able to do that and pay tribute to them as well so if anyone has an idea, just let me know. Thanks!)
Stumbled on your blog today. I love it! I spent my childhool growing up on a farm and it fuels my inspiration for much of my poetry. Thank you for sharing. I will be back often. May I add you to my blogroll?
Please do! Always nice to meet another person with a farm connection!
Thanks Janice,
This poem was a favorite of both my grandfather, and one of his great friends who both passed away this past year at the age of 90, farming right up till the end.
Mike
Thanks Mike. From the stories you told me of your grandfather he was a great person. Sorry for your loss.
JP: just Googled the poem. I sat at my grandmother’s table just a few months after my grandfather passed away in 1992 and I pulled this from the lazy Susan. She said gramps carried it around in his wallet just to remind himself that what he did was important and that he wasn’t a failure.
Thanks for posting.
What a moving story! Seems this poem has been near & dear to many of the folks who have helped shape our lives and provide the food we all eat. You can thank @FarmerHaley though, it was part of his grandpa’s eulogy that drove me to find it. Once I had it readily available, I had to share it. Glad it warmed your heart, sure moves me!
Stopping by from Time Travel Tuesday. I stumbled, already followed and Google +1 you! My post is http://practicalfrugality.blogspot.com/2011/07/earn-it-learn-it-teach-your-child.html
What a beautiful poem!!
I agree!
Love this, seen it with a picture and framed, does anyone know I could get a copy?
I don’t know of any places that sell them already done up, but you now have me thinking I should make that up! I could do the poem on the computer in a really nice font and and have a place like Kinkos printed on really nice paper. I could get a photo printed of a farmer I know and then put them together in a frame. Could be a nice personalized gift!
Sorry I don’t have a website.
I am curious, did you ever find a source for a copy of the poem possibly with a picture suitable for framing?
I haven’t Ron, but tell you that you could take the text as written and a photo of a farmer in your family to FedEx Kinkos and they could work up a really nice piece for you. And the photo being personal would make it even more special.
I read this during my grandpa’s funeral and made the whole room start to cry
I’m sure your grandpa was an incredible man! Thanks for sharing the love of farmers. I am sure your family appreciates it!
Moving poem… farmers here at Philippines might not have the same situation in farmers in there, but they share a common thing “a man who loves his job and the life he lives”.
I agree Rod! Having been to The Philippines & having met many farmers there, I had a chance to see some of the great people there loving their lives. I have several posts I’ve written on the topic too — check out https://jploveslife.com/tag/philippines10/ to see the posts I wrote on it. 🙂
This is so amazing. My husband Bobby is the author of this poem. He penned this poem years ago as a state officer in FFA. When my daughter gave her retiring address as a state officer from FFA about 10 years ago she read her fathers poem. One of her team mates remembered it years later and asked to publish it with a farm organization publication. He is an amazing man with a passion for farming also teaching agriculture for over 30 years before retiring to the family farm. Our email is [email protected] and now that he is retired we are working on a website.
So nice to meet you online! As I said, I had tried to figure out a way to be sure the author & or family received credit for the effort….. The words are definitely appreciated! I hope you’ll keep me up on the website!