Struggles of Will

 
With his young wife and his wee boys, three 
he took the long journey across the wide sea. 
Then far from all family, in a new land alone
a new baby girl was soon part of their home.

Two years Will spent working hard for a boss 
whilst traveling each Sunday to preach 'fore the cross,  
working long hours so the rent could be paid,
coming home weary at the end of each day. 

Tales of a place where land was cheap; 
the fruits of his toils his own to reap; 
where a person could make their own success, 
soon lured him north to the wilderness. 

No road to travel to the home he’d construct 
O’re streams and through forests on foot he trucked 
He struggled and toiled to clear his new land 
pulled every tree stump with his very own hand. 

He carried supplies for miles on his back 
easily shouldering a forty pound sack, 
He worked building roads for more settlers to come 
and saved every penny to build his new home. 

With first just one cow, and a sickly old horse 
life in the wilds was a struggle of course 
Then just when things looked like they’d turn around 
fire in the chimney razed their house to the ground. 

All but the clothes on their backs they did lose 
through tears and soot he was forced to choose, 
turning his back and walking away 
was not the choice he made on that day. 

Will set his sights forward and built his new life, 
working season after season to overcome strife, 
building a farm from the earth with his hands, 
a home for his family in this untamed land. 

Then one sweltering hot day in mid July 
the voices of many would be heard to cry 
The Great Fire of ‘16 raged like wild thunder 
spreading terror in it’s wake, leaving survivors in wonder. 

Many a poor settler lost their lives on that day 
when the bush went up in flames like tinder-dry hay 
blazing forward unstoppable in leaps and in bounds 
taking everything with it, leaving only black ground 

He struggled relentless with ladder and pail 
catching each spark; determined not to fail; 
weary and worn when the inferno was past 
but alive and not homeless, and resting at last. 

Standing amid the smouldering embers 
nothing for miles but fire scorched timbers 
a home standing proudly where it shouldn’t be so; 
a landmark proclaiming what one man can do.