Manitou Fields

 
         Manitou Fields
Dedicated to: Loyal Loving Children
By Richard David Briggs

Come, this way to my father’s coffin - draw near!
Many mourners! Whisper! Gossips may overhear.
Brother Brad there said, “Dad should be blamed!”
Untrue! Troublemaker! His evil puts me to shame!
How’s that? No! Did you hear what he just said?
“Dear Dad had overworked us almost every day!”
Liar! - Betrays the Burns’ honor! To that I swear!
See, treats our Cree mother as heathen! Sneers!
Ingrate! Pa, proud to tell us an Indian tale or two,
About struggles to reclaim her Native land anew.
Now! His farmer’s hands lie calloused and cold,
Fought dreadful droughts, bitter blight, rot, mold,
Giant grasshoppers, few he’d pickled in that jar,
Ruined wheat fields faster than a frost could mar.
How costs soared, taxes rose! Quotas imposed!
Stupid me! Thought our family so well disposed!
Listen now, calls him “Bloody Scrooge!” in short,
Threatened me to contest Father’s Will in court!
Brazen brat! To curb his greed I’ll buy his share!
O’ Satan, be gone! I’ve sinned! Forgive me Lord!
Dad, you will lie safe and sound in Manitou field,
Tall prairie green grass will be your soul’s shield,
Winter’s whining winds will sing sorrowful songs.
I’ll heed your prayer! Let Jesus right this wrong!
Light holy candles; pray each day in heaven be.
May God’s grant His graces; set your spirit free!