August 26, 2009

He's a Farmer 'Til the End (RWP Prompt #89)

We were supposed to find a news headline and write a poem about it. I happened upon the headline "He's a Farmer 'Til the End" from page 1 of the Los Angeles Times 08/21/09. I have always admired the hard work ethic and deep abiding love of the land that typifies a farmer so I decided to write from his point of view. I hope you enjoy it.

I'll be a farmer 'til the end
and the end is near upon me.
Too old and stooped from heavy years
of bending to my livelihood.
Can't count what's left in seasons now
Just hope to get this last crop in.
The wife passed on some winters back,
"to her reward" I heard it called.
But what reward could be so sweet
you wouldn't miss that rich, black loam?

This ground has been our family place
since old grandpa was just a lad.
The first bit from the free land grab
and more scraped up through long, hard years.
From countries far across the sea
we all came down from farmer stock.
To till and sow and gather up,
and love the dirt and rain and seed.
But something happened on the way,
now no one's left to carry on.

Our son took off for city life
to keep his wife who hates the farm.
One day he'll realize his mistake,
of picking something pale and small
in place of something green and great.
The girl married out, lives in town,
She brings her kids by now and then.
They sit around and play their games,
when all the fun they'd ever need
is in the barn or by the creek.

Once I'm finished they'll sell this plot,
divvy up and spend it away,
Never remembering where they're from.
I will be gone but the land goes on.
Then some other man, more like kin,
with grit in his nails
and steel in his spine
will take over and work these fields,
understanding the blessing
and the Godlike greatness underfoot.

16 comments:

  1. Hello Cynthia,

    This is great! Such rich imagery from the headline that I'm sure wouldn't have occurred to me. There are so many "good bits" but I especially like:

    "One day he'll realize his mistake,
    of picking something pale and small
    in place of something green and great."

    In response to your spur, I have managed something!

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  2. My grandparents were farmers and most of their children (including my parents) not. This was sooo familiar.

    I particularly like:

    But what reward could be so sweet
    you wouldn't miss that rich, black loam?


    Nice!

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  3. And isn't this all so true.Lovely poem Cynthia.
    It made me sad.I can tell that you really enjoyed writing this. It shows.

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  4. Yes, I agree with Derrick. Don't we all make those "pale and small" choices at times. Let's go for the "green and great."

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  5. This tells a great story... and a sad one. Too many of us have become disconnected from the land. It's nice to be reminded of what we've lost.

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  6. I like the patience of the poem and of its voice. There's great imagery and a strong narrative arc. I love the half rhyme of "kin" and "spine" and monosyllabics interspersed.

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  7. cynthia this is quite a lovely piece. the reflection of time and understanding of a life once lived is powerful and pausing. for me this chimed of a generation's lack of appreciation and history. this poem pays the homage in full. enjoyed this afternoon. -lawrence

    appreciate your wonderful response to American News, sentiment connecting through poetry is a powerful vibe!

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  8. Wonderful. I especially love the third stanza. The voice really rings true.

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  9. A poignant look into a farmer's life. So true, sadly, about children moving to the big smoke. Well done!

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  10. Love the strong voice of the speaker in this piece. I especially like...
    Can't count what's left in seasons now
    Just hope to get this last crop in.

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  11. I like the opening, especially. "'til" sounds like "till" when it follows "farmer," and I love the sound and image of "bending to my livelihood."

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  12. Wonderful use of dramatic monologue. You really capture this character's voice.

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  13. "Godlike greatness underfoot" - that's a fantastic closing on this poem, Cynthia. Your natural ear for music, along with the story, creates a melodious ballad.

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  14. I especially like these lines which remind me of the difference between my childhood and my daughter's childhood--
    They sit around and play their games,
    when all the fun they'd ever need
    is in the barn or by the creek.

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