by Dirk Raderstorf 
(Royal Center, IN)

This poem was written in memory of one of my parishioners.

Crooked Rows 
In Memory of David G. Berry

David always said; “You can get more seed in a crooked row.”

They may not be the straightest rows 
as you look across the field
But all the seed was planted with love 
by the one behind the wheel.

Maybe if he’d had more sleep, 
the rows would have been straighter then
But sleep was a stranger to this one, 
whose work seemed to have no end.

Working at the shop and answering the Fireman’s call, 
Feeding all the cattle not wanting to hear them bawl.
Helping those in the community, Being Captain to his kids
Being husband, protector, and provider
To Melanie his lover and friend.

From sunrise to sunset 
He was always on the move
Doing the work of not just one 
but doing the work of two


But the greatest lesson that he learned 
Was with marriage must be three
Husband, wife that makes two 
But God is a necessity 

For without His love
How can we love
As we must love another
And without His forgiveness 
how can we forgive 
as we forgive each other.

Upon this foundation we all must build
To survive the storms of life
For even with God they still arise 
and we must all face some strife.


Contentment and peace are measured not
By circumstance or place
But peace truly comes from the Master’s hand
And the feel of His warm embrace

They may not be the straightest rows 
as you look across the field
But all the seed was planted with love 
by the one behind the wheel.

Maybe a distraction here or there
Might have caused the row to bend
Like all of us along life’s way
We go to help a friend.

A life that bends to help a friend
And to be there for family needs
Will always reap a greater harvest
Because of the love within the deeds

So when you see those crooked rows
Remember the one who planted the seed
Remember of how he bended 
to help you with your needs

Because if he had kept his course 
and taken not a bend
The harvest wouldn’t have been half as much
For any of us in the end.

So take some advice 
from the one who plants 
the crooked rows in the field

Love God, Love your family, 
don’t be afraid to bend
Have Ice Cream and laugh a lot 
With any and all of your friends

Bend to tell others that you love them
Through your actions they will know
For the harvest will always be greater in life
the more crooked you plant the row 

By: Dirk Raderstorf