Oh Give Me a Tomb

O Give Me a Tomb

To the tune of “Home, Home on the Range”
Begun in 2004, Finished 12/11/09

O. Kris Widmer

A reflection on my Father’s desire to be buried in the land of his birth, North Dakota.



O give me a tomb
Where the wildflowers bloom
In Dakota, lay me ‘neath the sod.
Then one day I shall rise.
Meet me there, in the skies.
My home is the city of God.

Chorus
Home. Home with the Lord,
Where no death and no sorrow shall be.
We’ll sing with great mirth.
Dwelling on the new earth
And we’ll live through out eternity.

I’ve lived a good life
With my children and wife.
The Good Lord has been gracious to me.
And when after I die,
In Dakota, I’ll lie.
Where the North wind blows frigid and free.

I’m one of those hicks.
I was born in the sticks.
Then the whole world became my domain.
In death I shall be
Where my mother birthed me.
My last wish is a grave on the plain.

Have my corpse washed, then heaved.
Where my life was conceived
I would like to be there, near that spot.
For ‘twas there I began.
And ‘tis there are my clan.
And I’d like to go back there to rot.

Just put me in “park”
Where the ol’ Meadowlark
Sings her song on a rusty ‘ol fence.
Where the clover leaf grows,
Nibbled by grazing does.
Ship me off, for I’ve paid the expense.

My mom and dad died,
They are in Riverside.
And my brother’s in Colorado.
My first sister, (God save!)
Is in Michigan grave.
But it’s back to near Kulm I’ll go.

When I’m prepped for my crypt,
Just have my corpse shipped.
Write ND right there on the lid.
I don’t want to be “Urned.”
I’ll be buried, not burned.
Lay me down, where I was as a kid.

Write “Dakota or Bust”
and “In God, we DO trust.”
On the back of your ol’ Aerostar.
Then toss me inside
And take me for a ride.
And be glad I’m not close with a Czar!

In Dakota, I’ll rest.
And trust God for what’s best.
It’s the last thing I ask you to do.
Shed a tear, play a fife.
Then get back on with LIFE
Think of me when you eat a cashew!

Eighty Years

80 Years

A Thank-you Note from Elmer A and Eunice O. Widmer
for the Lakeport Dialysis Clinic Staff
April 27, 2005 6:30 a.m.
Poem By O. Kris Widmer, Elmer and Eunice’s Son






He started August of ’03,
A man with many needle fears.
But you have helped keep him alive,
And now his age is eighty years.

Three times a week he’s in his chair,
With plug-in muffs upon his ears.
The work you rise to daily do
Has helped my love live eighty years.

So, celebrate with us today;
Wear a smile, and shed no tears.
A husband, father, “papa” too
Has lived to see these eighty years!

Today we pause and offer thanks
To clinic staff. You are such dears!
Enjoy the brownies, party tray
‘Cause Elmer’s made it eighty years.

I'll Finish My Genealogy in Heaven

I’ll Finish My Genealogy in Heaven
O. Kris Widmer



For my father, Dr. Elmer Andreas Widmer, PhD

Begun on August 9, 2003, the day of his first dialysis treatment
Continued and Finished on November 15, 2004, during his ICU hospitalization following emergency Gall Bladder surgery



I’ll finish my genealogy in heaven.
It will be easier in Paradise.
All my family will be there to speak to.
So my charts can be full and precise.

I’ll finish my genealogy in heaven.
A biologist’s dream coming true
I’ll study God’s vital statistics.
And prove how I am related to you.

I’ll finish my genealogy in heaven.
I’ll follow each branch and each root.
Because even though I’ll be in glory,
I’ll still need a mental pursuit.

I’ll finish my genealogy in heaven.
No guess work or blank information.
I’ll have access to Yahweh’s birth records.
And I’ll diagram each generation.

I’ll finish my genealogy in heaven.
I’ll know right where Noah fits in.
I’ll be able to prove with preciseness
Just how Adam and Eve are my kin.

I’ll finish my genealogy in heaven.
No tombstones to photo or see.
I’ll study the Book of Life, opened.
Cross-referenced with God’s DMV.

I’ll finish my genealogy in heaven.
We all are related, you know it.
Right now I say that from the Bible.
But up there, I’ll be able to show it.

I’ll finish my genealogy in heaven.
I’ll focus on life, and not death.
We’ll feast on fruit salad, immortal.
And forever inhale God’s breath.

I’ll finish my genealogy in heaven.
I want you to be there with me.
I don’t want one twig to be missing.
From my forever, alive family tree.

I’ll finish my genealogy in heaven.
I’ll publish it: bound, clean and neat.
Then I’ll give my dear Savior a copy,
As I lay it at Jesus’ feet!

Because You Have Been Valentines

Because You Have Been “Valentines”
Owen Kristian Widmer
For my precious Mom and Dad, on Valentines Day
February 14, 2003



Because you have been “Valentines.”
Because you have been lovers.`
Because you said “I do”,
And made love beneath the covers.

Because you have been “Valentines.”
Because you loved each other.
Because you had a family,
And became a “father”, “mother.”

You now have nine great branches
Upon your family tree.
All because you have been “Valentines,”
And said “I sure love thee.”

First you were a couple.
Cupid’s arrow sure had struck.
The vows you said in fifty-two,
For fifty years have stuck.

In fifty-seven, you numbered three,
And by sixty there were four.
Then your children found their lovers,
And their spouses were two more.

Then the babies started coming.
The last one totaled five.
Now eleven get in two big cars -
Just to take a drive!

Because you have been “Valentines.”
Because you’ve shared a life.
Because Dad’s been a “husband.”
And Mom, you’ve been a “wife.”

Because you have been “Valentines.”
Because you joined your hearts.
Because you have been lovers,
And succumbed to Cupid’s darts.

Because you have been “Valentines,”
And though you’ve now an “empty nest,”
This “eagle” soaring on his own,
Rises up and calls you “blessed.”

Set Up

I thought I'd start a new blog of poems that I've written in memory of my dad.

One of the best grief activities I've done...for it has helped me feel...is to write poems. I have shed many tears for my father's death, while working on my poetry. I recommend it to anyone who needs to deal with feelings, and get them out...so they can get on with life.

I hope you enjoy my poetic postings.