Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Saturday, January 3, 2015

For Bread Dough Days

A poem.

Because . . .

The water's there. The yeast is, too.
The sugar, eggs and oil.
A pinch of salt. Some scoops of flour.
A spot of manual toil.
Then there it sits. A work of art.
A dough that's fine and ready.
Just waiting for the final touch.
The hand that's firm and steady.
It starts to rise. Increase and grow.
Progressing, moving on.
Then nears the top. Success so close,
Then, suddenly, it's gone.
That hand so sure that works with care
Deflates all it's achieved.
And in a blink all progress seems
Impossible to believe.
Again it tries.Again it grows.
E'en lighter than before.
Again that hand, again the push,
The dough is flat once more.
A third time tries. A third time grows.
Now tasty and perfected.
Achieves at last it's sought-for goal,
No flaws or faults detected.
At times I feel much like this dough.
My progress interrupted.
When wiser hands press me to my knees,
All dreams and goals disrupted.
But praying hard, I realize
Though setbacks are in store,
I rise each time, a better me
Than e're I was before.

20 comments:

  1. That's not to say we enjoy the process....but the finished product is worth the misery.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Isn't that the truth? I know it's an old saw, but "adversity builds character" really is true.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "When wiser hands press me to my knees,
    All dreams and goals disrupted,"
    Boy, how many times have I been there! Yet we get up time and again and keep on keeping on.
    I remember days long ago when bread was light and fluffy after that third rising, it seems these days all bakeries are in too much hurry, breads are baked after only the second rising, it lacks that final lightness and often has a yeasty taste and texture. I used to try making my own, but lack the "knack".

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fantastic analogy..never thought of that before. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely. The idea of hand made bread is such a great image.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember Mom making it. Watching her was fascinating!

      Delete
  6. What a lovely analogy. It is so true that we fall and then we arise again. The product comes out sweet in the end.
    Blessings for this inspiring post!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love this Diane! I have a deep fear of bread baking and I don't know why. I go and buy the ingredients needed then when it comes time to start I chicken out!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love making bread! Our Mother was a great teacher.
    Love,
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She was amazing! I loved watching her! Especially her potato bread!

      Delete
  9. This is beautiful. I have vaguely felt this analogy when kneading dough - but never could formulate the thought. I love this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Susan! I came to me while I was punching down a batch of dough that had over-fulilled its divine purpose! :)

      Delete

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