What's mainly wrong with society today is that too many Dirt Roads have been paved.

There's not a problem in America today, crime, drugs, education, divorce, delinquency that wouldn't be remedied, if we just had more Dirt Roads, because Dirt Roads give character.

People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride.

That it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes, but it's worth it, if at the end is home...a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog.

We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other kids, from whom they learn how to get along.

There was less crime in our streets before they were paved.

Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they knew they'd be welcomed by 5 barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun.

And there were no drive by shootings.

Our values were better when our roads were worse!

People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were more courteous, they didn't tailgate by riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke you with dust & bust your windshield with rocks.

Dirt Roads taught patience.

 Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly, you didn't hop in your car for a quart of milk you walked to the barn for your milk.

For your mail, you walked to the mail box.

What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out? That was the best part, then you stayed home and had some family time, roasted marshmallows and popped popcorn and pony rode on Daddy's shoulders and learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody.

At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted like soap.

 Most paved roads lead to trouble, Dirt Roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole.

At the end of a Dirt Road, the only time we even locked our car was in August, because if we didn't some neighbor would fill it with too much zucchini.

At the end of a Dirt Road, there was always extra springtime income, from when city dudes would get stuck, you'd have to hitch up a team and pull them out.

Usually you got a dollar...always you got a new friend...at the end of a Dirt Road!

Dirt Roads

I came across a dirt road,
And thought I heard it say,

I know you’ve driven asphalt,
But please turn down this way.
And so I answered the dirt road,
And walked down its first mile,
The things I saw as I trudged on,
Caused me to slow and smile.

The dust that played beneath my feet,
And swirled so gently round,
Brought a smile unto my weary face,
And chased away my frown.
It brought back memories I had forgotten,
Of days so long ago,

When mostly there were dirt roads,
And driving was so slow.
I saw the butterflies long side,
On flowers that grew tall,
And saw a rabbit dart across,
And heard an eagle‘s call.

I saw great trees that furnished shade,
Tall, reaching for blue sky,
They gave needed cooling from hot sun,
To all those who passed by.
And then I passed

a rundown house,
And felt a twinge of alarm,
It won’t be long till nothing’s left,
Where once there was a farm.

And then I thought of its future,
When the dirt road too is gone,
Encroaching grass along the edge,
Tells me it won’t be long.

Until the road has disappeared,
From all but memory,
And I wished with all my heart the road,
Could tell its history.
That it could tell me all about,
And I could hear it say,
"I am the very thing that caused,
Them all to move away.”
 

© Loree (Mason) O’Neil