Amidst the fierce storm,
the old barn stood steadfast,
beckoning me to step inside.
As I walked through the empty stalls,
the silence broken only
by the sounds echoing in the vast space.
Once filled with the lively energy of horses
under the moonlight,
the barn now seems still.
At one time the cows,
bathed in the morning sun,
formed a dignified procession
as they patiently awaited
their turn to be milked.
The cats delicately lapped
at the milk-filled buckets nearby.
I ascended the creaking ladder
to the hay loft,
taking in each step
as I made my way up
to where children once played.
I longed for the return
of those carefree days
and found myself
lost in wishful dreams
of what the future might hold.
