Held in warmth and darkness, the embryos await the light
Grow whole and plump out of the broken
Push their rumpled heads out of the night
The babies tremble in the springtime wind
Their tender jade hands patting at the raindrops, their bodies
Stretching slowly toward the sun
The children dance in line in the furrows, grow like weeds
And reach to touch hands
Their rippling arms sway above their heads as they play
The teenagers are robust, thick-stalked and firm
Tousle-haired, energetic, virile
Eager to be full grown, productive
The mature are thirsty, reach their parched hands high
A silent shriek for answers that do not come and
For the life of the young borne against their bodies, for strength
The fruitful stand erect, yield produce of excellence and delight
And spent, bereft, but self-respecting
Wait in silence for the end. The good seed will go on
The aged shrivel into themselves, pointing crooked fingers
Against the clouded evening sky
Accusing, eerie, alone
Held in warmth and darkness, the embryos await the light
Now that’s poetry. Thank you! A refreshing and thought-provoking piece.
Wow. You captured so much emotion and gave so many visuals in these words.
Gina
A beautiful multi-layered piece.
Wow!. Do you know there’s a new forum for Mennonite poetry? I would love to see this and you featured there.
Beautiful!
It’s been a while since I’ve read any poetry that simply arrested me with its word pictures and layered meaning. When I read something like that, I have to sit very still a few minutes to absorb it.
I feel the daily thirst and the cry for strength for the awesomeness of the duties that daily pound at me and pull from me. I also cry out for the life of our young ones at my side – knowing that in a few more years, they will need to grow and be fruitful in their own furrow.
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Well done Shari! My favorite line: “and spent, bereft, but self respecting.” I come from a poetry loving family and hope to share it with my mom.
Speaking of corn. Out here in Idaho our stalks are only just tasseling, mature at best, and I can’t wait for that fresh corn on the cob taste! It’s my family’s favorite meal and definitely my favorite one for a variety of reasons.
-little work
-quick meal
-great tasting
-healthy
-eat outside and throw the cobs to the horses resulting in easy clean up and few dishes. Ooohhh my mouth is watering.
(I did it;)
You did it! 🙂 Thank you!
I love love love this. I seldom read poetry, only if it’s what I consider “the real thing,” and this is definitely the real thing. 🙂
Oh Shari.
The lines that resonate most with me are the ones about the mature.
But I love best the fruitful lines.
You have a gift. Thank you for using it.
I enjoyed this so much- I felt the emotion of each life stage. My favorite lines are the last three.
When I said “the last three,” I had actually missed seeing the final line! Which brings it around full circle, and brings a measure of peace to the three lines about the aged.
Thanks everybody.
Found this through my friend Luci, above. This is rich in meaning and beauty.
Beautiful . . .