Homesteaders Poem by Marilyn Lott

I think the homesteaders were heroes
Took chances traveling so many miles
They packed up all of their belongings
For a life that was truly a trial

They lived in such difficult conditions
The weather grew fierce and strong
Left the place where they were raised
Searching for a new location to belong

Many lived in a sod house for awhile
Where constantly the dust sifted in
In Oklahoma that brilliant red dust
Covered absolutely everything within

And when it rained it turned to mud
Can you imagine trying to keep it out?
The water came in through roofs and walls
Problems constant through rain or drought

Creatures lived in the walls as well
Oh Lord, can you imagine the sight
Of these rustic sod house dwellings
A nightmare both day and night

So they are heroes, don’t you think?
For they had so many things to dread
But they did what they had to do
As they built the rustic homestead!