A Land Remembered

by Patrick D. Smith

One night when they were eating supper Zech said, “Pappa, who owns all this land out here?” Tobias wondered why a boy Zech’s age would even ask such a question. He said, “The Lord.” “You reckon He would give us some of it?” “You’ve got it now. You can roam it wherever you please. The Lord put it here for everybody.”

“Don’t no man want to sleep with a snake. I’ll take you over any skinny woman I ever seen.”

All I’m trying to tell you is to be strong. Don’t ever let nothing get you down. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to love, or to grieve when the thing you love is gone. Just don’t let it throw you, no matter how much it hurts. If you make it in this wilderness, you got to be strong. Do you understand me?” “Yes, Pappa, I understand. And I’m sorry I cried for the dogs.” “Don’t be. Don’t ever be sorry for something like that. There ain’t nothing wrong with a man crying. I done it for a week when my mamma died. But when you get done with it, start over again, and don’t ever look back.

“She had hair as red as a sunset, and she smelled like flowers.”

He vowed he would never again make excuses to himself or to anyone for what he was or who he was. He was a MacIvey, and proud of it.

A woman gives her man a heap more than biscuits, and he ought to know it. She gives herself. Do something good for Glenda without her asking.

whatever was to come would come, regardless of worry or concern.

“Don’t never say ‘no way’,” Tobias admonished. “Whatever the Lord wants to do He’ll do. And He’s not goin’ to ask our advice about it.”

This is a great fault of your people, thinking that your way in everything is the only way.

it’s done now, and what’s done can’t be undone. I guess nothing in this whole damned stinking world lasts forever.”