I remember when…

I used to drive a school bus, many, many years ago;

Something today I could not do.

Schools buses today have lots of horse power;

I just have to say — mine had only two.

At early dawn I’d rise, and milk the stanchioned cows;

After a hearty breakfast, I’d throw the harness on my “power”.

I’d lead the horses from the barn and hitch them to the bus.

Tugs to the single trees, reins over the back –

the reins were my steering wheel, nothing I lacked.

The weather never mattered, whether rain, wind or snow;

Even the cold, sometimes even, 20 below.

The school bus moved out, the weather we spurned –

to pick up students, all eager to learn.

Up one road and down another, to pick up fourteen, sixteen, I think was the number.

When we got to the top of the last big hill,

there was our goal — the Patten School!

The kids rushed in, we put the horses away –

to rest, eat, and be ready, at the end of the day,

to make the trip home and then another day!