Alma M. Kaps

Miller, Nebraska

Parents: Dave and Margaretha (Brandt) McCullough
Husband: Bill Kaps
Son: David Kaps
Memberships: Ansley Christian Church, Dorcas Society, Christian Woman's Club, WIFE (Women Involved in Farm Economics),
Farm Bureau, FFAMW, Helpful Homemakers Club, American Legion Auxiliary, National Cattlemen's Beef Association
Awards: WIFE poem presented to governor Ben Nelson, 1990 "Woman of the Year" Custer County Farm Bureau, 1993 "Certificate of Recognition", Nebraska WIFE
Writings: Beef Reports Nebraska WIFE Newsletter, articles in Ansley Christian Church Newsletter
Poems: Dates and Updates Newsletter, Nebraska WIFE Newsletter, National WIFEline, National Library of Poetry

Heaven For Me

Some people dream of a city so fair,
Waiting for them at the top of the stairs
golden streets to walk up and down
A long white robe, a scepter, a crown.
Ivory palaces and great marble walls,
Diamonds, rubies, sapphires and all
These are the sights that they want to see,
But this is not heaven for me.

I dream of pastures lush and green.
A tree on a knoll overlooking a stream.
Cattle a grazing and lowing nearby
Deer in the meadow, the breeze gentle sigh.
A purring old cat curled up by my side,
A horse and a dog will closely abide.
In blue jeans and T-shirt, here's where I'd be
For this is what heaven would be like for me.

The Rancher

He drove to the ranch as the corral was beginning to fill.
A rider was coming behind the herd over the top of the hill.
Two dogs were working back and forth, the dust rose in a swirl.
He did a double take you see, for this rancher was a girl.

She stepped down from the horse, then turned and said "Hi,
Come on in the house, we'll have some coffee and some pie."
He stood awhile, he didn't believe one gal could bring the herd in
And waited a bit to make sure no more riders came back to the pen.

They visited 'till he could stand it no more and had to ask
"Do you run this ranch alone? Isn't that a terrible task?"
"It's all I know" she answered him, "It's all I've ever done.
For you see, I lost my Dad in '76, and my Bill in '81.

I wanted to be a rancher's wife to help him with the place
To raise a family by his side and grow older face to face
I don't understand the way things are, but trust it is God's plan.
He gave me a son, my pride and joy, David helps me when he can.

Most of the ranch work I can do, tho' it takes me awhile longer,
For when the guys come to help, I find they are much stronger.
With friends and neighbors I've been blessed, they are all so kind.
A more caring group of people, I know you would never find.

Do I run the ranch alone? No, for God is here with me.
He gave me a love for the land and the animals you see.
But it's not mine, I'm only here to care for it awhile.
I just hope there's a horse to ride, to go my final mile."

As he leaves, they walk outside, the critters hear her speak,
By the way they all act, you'd think she's been gone a week.
Now if you should see this fellow where life's toils they unfurl,
He'll probably tell you of a place, where the rancher is a girl.
All poems Copyright © 1996 Alma M. Kaps. All rights reserved.