A tribute to Ralph Woodward
As youngsters, we went walking somewhere through a field
We noticed we were followed by a man we did not know.
Scared stiff were we, then Ralph said let’s pray.
We knelt and asked for heaven’s help, and the prayer was soon answered.
Because the stranger promptly turned and took his course another way.
Ralph taught us lots of fun and games, like Mumbledy-peg,
One throws a pocket knife between the other’s legs.
But it was game over,
When my brother’s knife stuck handily in Ralph’s leg.
Then came hand-slapping and knuckle-smacking games in which,
I could never get the upper hand.
With lightning speed, Raph delivered his stinging slaps;
Or in another variation, my hands and wrists received his hard and swift wraps.
From raising ducks and chickens, and riding a unicycle too.
Yes, with Ralph there was always something new.
Like riding bikes to Big Cottonwood Canyon
That turned into a cold damp night.
But it ended well when we made it down the hill
and the Woodward home was in sight.
Where Ralph’s mom had cold root beer floats waiting.
We laughed about the cold bike ride and cold homemade root beer floats.
A wild family from Montana moved in next door.
Stealing our bikes and causing trouble
Which we simply could not ignore.
Ralph stepped up to defend our honor
And put a stop to this nonsense.
Then the one we called Curly picked up the end of a Cedar post
That was sawed off for the building of a fence.
And knocked Ralph in the head.
Then came the horses!
I had a little yearling that cost me fifty dollars.
Ralph had a little gray one that came from Idaho.
Then came a little pinto mare which my bother often rode.
Ralph showed us all the shortcuts and away we did ride,
To the mountains and to the canyon we did glide.
In The art of catching horses, Ralph had a special knack.
On a visit to Aunt Max’s farm, I watched him go to work
In a large and grassy pasture, he patiently pursued.
Until the horse he wanted eventually was subdued.
Then he got the bridle on her and leaped upon her back.
Raph got an old Willys Jeep one time and took us for a ride
Soon we were flying straight up a mountainside.
Thought the end might come that night.
Upside down in the back of an old Willys Jeep.
Perhaps Ralph was more suited for another century
When the frontier was wild and one could be free.
But now the restless traveler who I admired in my youth
Has gone to the great beyond
Where I hope he finds rest from life’s struggles and tests.
I hope he finds there, the parents that loved him dearly.
And of a Lord whose love never fails.
