ALBERTA MEMORIES

A short span from Orion town, Still stands a prairie school,
As elements of wisdom’s wealth, were learned with basic tools.
The students now have scattered far to make their mark on time,
School’s wisdom grew, and parents too, as lives were intertwined.
Enroute to school the prairie rose, embraced a winding creek,
From Cypress Hills its waters rushed at close of winter bleak.
To end the game of fox and geese played on the winter’s day,
Chinook winds brought the baseball track to view for recess play.

In June we munched the petals pink from creek’s roseberry patch.
Come fall we hollowed out the hips and ate with great dispatch.
And never did Pakowki School at recess time forget,
The cactus fruits that hid behind protective bayonets.
Although school’s learning works mind’s soil, each plants a seed his own,
To mingle with the purpose that his soul works out alone.
For at those desks we sat again for weekend Sunday school,
Through lives of Frank and Ida Weeks to learn the Golden Rule.

In measuring their daily walk their love shone like a gem,
“As you wish men do to you - do likewise unto them.”
To generations yet unborn, their kindly deeds move on
To light a flame within each heart of love’s melodic song.
In silent moments they return through memory’s fragile chain,
The lessons taught, the wealth they brought, their words will flash again.
To share with every land true joys, this Golden Chain of old
Unseen – those lessons given those years ago, forever will remain.