Leaving the Farm

Herded into the
Rusty old truck
Like the cattle on our
abandoned farm

With each baby wail
And wheel squeak
I could swear
We were doomed

I was left all alone
With my aunts
And uncles cooped up in the back
Like a bunch of cattle that didn't moo

And Dad leaned back
From the steering wheel
Hair flapping in the wind
And said we'd find a home alright

But it was hard to believe
When night came I couldn't sleep
Knowing the world is the same under moon or sun
All the same to me

My stomach was churning
Thoughts of despair
We were getting farther
From home, not closer

Squeaking to a stop
We got out of the pickup
Dirt in my overgrown toenails
Cuts on my bare feet

And then I looked
Upon what was to be
Our new home
And nearly cried.