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Open Poetry #37
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ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2006-03-30 01:31 AM


On the grounds of a worn out farm
I write, and dedicate this poem,
To those who did not push past limits,
Possibilities, of place, and home..
*

Requite

Years after single shares
Have turned last, furrows,
Brambles shade the hillside steps
Of  ground, too steep for corn;
Blackberries-foxgrapes-yarrow,
Grow new health on fallow fields
That should have not endured
The sting six bottoms gave.

But the earth ingests its medicine
Of aspen cotton, ash-samaras,
Nature, fills all voids and vacuum's
Using ancient reservations,
Booked at times beginning-

Nearby:

The spring below
The fallen house runs free,
Pipes clogged, its cistern caved;
The liberated-rivulet now flows-its
Old, but unforgotten track,
Along which spearmint sharpened leaves
Of menthol fragrance,
Sort of rise in herbal joking
As the freshet, in its merriment
Goes babble-gurrgle jesting,
Once again above the ground.

Grace returns when left alone,
Requite by separation
From things abnormal long,
Including minds, and health
Of men that saw as sacred,
Natural place, and home...

This ruined space, this old home
These holy fields, this broken church
Once loved by men of visible grace,
Who nooned their team in shade-
Who prayed and paid high dues
In muscle , blood and faith;
Men equal to a share of bounds,
That good work shares, by fair exchange...

I pray these men a quiet rest,
These that death made blind to see
The diesel  army come a-marching  
Making war by plowing deeper-
Plowing steeper, while the bankers
Built a gallows of equipment mortgages-
Knitting nooses for their children's necks.

To these old men, of give and take,
Who tended well these fields, I say;
Rest at ease, as nature works,
(Still nurtures well)
Just like you did, everyday.

­­
­

[This message has been edited by ice (03-30-2006 05:27 PM).]

© Copyright 2006 ford hume - All Rights Reserved
Kathy
Member
since 2006-02-10
Posts 153

1 posted 2006-03-30 01:38 AM


"To these old men, of give and take,
Who tended well these fields, I say;
Rest at ease, as nature works,"

Likes this one!

Thanks,
Kathy

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
2 posted 2006-03-30 06:45 AM


The liberated-rivulet now flows-its
Old, but unforgotten track,

~*~

All of the poem touched the core, Ford,
but the above lines reminded me
of older than time sayings,

that the river
will always find
its way.

Nothing can be held back
forever
without some bursting
of the seams.

Thank you for the walk.


Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

3 posted 2006-03-30 11:28 AM


Ford, much enjoyed the visions through your eyes, for a moment I was there and could envision it in my mind...could almost smell the menthol and spearmint.  For a minute I was reminded of the tea that my dad used to make from sassafras roots.   Very well done, sir.
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
4 posted 2006-03-30 11:38 AM


Much enjoyed the walk through time with you Ford.
Hugs~Nancy

~ Trace my body with your words,
  in doing so, you touch my heart ~

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
5 posted 2006-03-30 11:43 AM


I cannot af-Ford to miss a poem of yours! They are food for the soul!

May springtime by a happy time for you!

EA
Flowers

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
6 posted 2006-03-30 12:31 PM


outstanding piece!


serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

7 posted 2006-03-30 12:53 PM


Each poem from you is as a satisfying mind meal--a delicate seasoning of season and reason.
The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
8 posted 2006-03-30 04:13 PM




"Years after single shares
Have turned last, furrows,
Brambles shade the hillside steps
Of  ground, too steep for corn;"


Something so comforting about this one. I admire your voice.

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
9 posted 2006-03-30 04:53 PM


Oh, ice, I love this!  Your warmth, compassion, thoughtfulness, consideration, concern, perspicacity and those wonderful people shine throughout the poem with natural and perfect light.  Thank you for noticing them.  If only they knew too.

- Owl

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
10 posted 2006-03-31 01:06 AM


This touches me deeply as I think about my own roots and the land that sustains most of my family.  It is a wonderful thing when a poet is able to enrich the reader.  Thank you.  ....jo
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
11 posted 2006-03-31 01:10 AM


Ford...You are an amazing write of depth and compassion.  I love your poetry!  
froggy
Senior Member
since 2003-06-23
Posts 1893
Michigan
12 posted 2006-04-01 09:48 AM


What can I add that those before me hadn't already said.
Thank-you for sharing such a beautiful journey.

Hugs my friend.

:-)

Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things,
man will not himself find peace."

Albert Schweitzer,
Nobel Peace Prize Wi

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