I have a confession to make.It may come as a shock to some of you ... but ... I am a sentimental person.

Wait. What? This isn't a surprise to you?! :)

Sentimental people rely on emotions more than reason. That's probably why I'll sometimes find myself lost in the lyrics of a song. Or hold onto cards and notes I've received over the years. Or buy something because the way it made me feel.

Even though I'm in touch with my feelings I sometimes have trouble articulating them. That's where a pen and paper come in handy. It is easier for me to express how I feel in written words. Must be why I have a blog, right? ;)

Another confession – I've written poetry.

It has been many, many years, but I used to write poems as a way to share my feelings. I definitely am not a poet nor truly understand the art – but I am able to tell a story of something or someone close to my heart.

I recently decided to create a book of photos I captured of my dad, on the farm, during harvest in the fall and with his cattle in the spring. I wanted the book to be more than a collection of photos, however, so I decided there needed to be language about farming.

Would I grab quotes from online? Or lyrics from a song? Or a poem? Then I thought ... what if I wrote a poem?

In the end, I came up with three very similar poems and finalized my favorite, titled On the Farmer's Watch. I designed a 20-page book that included photos and the poem. I came across Zno, a company that creates high-quality books at an affordable price. To top it all off, they offer free-trial products, which resulted in me getting my one-of-a-kind book for 10 dollars!

I gave the book to my dad as a sentimental way of acknowledging him for all his hard work and what he's done for his family.

Here's some photos of the book, followed by the poem.

On the Farmer’s Watch

The farmer owns land, acres of soil.
The farmer cultivates his fields,
his rows of plants,
and the crops grow tall,
on the farmer’s watch.

The farmer harvests his crops,
a reaping of plenty.
The farmer gathers the bushels of corn and soybeans,
and the wagons grow full,
on the farmer’s watch.

The farmer buys cattle, building a herd.
The farmer cares for his herd of cows and calves.
And the cattle grow strong,
on the farmer’s watch.

The farmer is blessed with children, three daughters.
The farmer provides for his children,
giving them all they need,
and the little girls grow older,
on the farmer’s watch.

On the farmer’s watch,
his farm grows.
A gift for his children,
and their children,
the farm, becomes his legacy.

A place of beauty and promise,
the farm will prosper,
and provide,
for generations to come.
All because of the farmer’s watch.