Revised "Family Circles"

  Family Circles

At a rest area table

(Like a deserted mission.)

The usual can of pork

And beans, with nothing added

(Like pemmican.)

To make them seem more than

They were, was the only side.

(Like pemmican with dried berries.)

The mother prepared simple

Bologna sandwiches, neat,

(Using grandma’s bread knife.)

With no mayo or lettuce,

And the common meal

(Maybe dried beef or buffalo.)

Became a summer picnic.

(This is really fun!)

It evolved into a meal of love

(All for one and one for all.)

And they were like some

Westward pioneers who stopped

(Sitting in the covered wagon’s shade.)

Someplace near here to be

(The ox team needs a rest, too.)

A household for a few minutes.

(On to California, or bust.)