Generations of families hushed sitting in church,

Imprinting wears smoothness of wood from their perch,

On Sunday and feast days, sad mournings then birth,

Their long-valued neighbors enriching this earth.

Of children and women bright faces and smiles,

The potlucks and baked goods, pies, cookies in piles,

Arranged by the hands that plant gardens, wash floors,

These helpmates of loyalty, firm backbone, pure love.

The men strong and kindly of water and soil,

Machines, tractors, trucks lending aid in their toil,

When storms brew they batten the hatches and hearth,

The safety of all be their mission and art.

The complex of simple translated to fill,

The gaps that Humanity ignores, selfish still,

Is woven each day, hand to heart, absent ill,

A coiling of goodness, intent and sheer will.

To have walked in the integrity of this land, this place, this Mathews,

I am so grateful.

T. A. Leach

The Glebe, Mathews, Va. ...