Wednesday, September 5, 2018

A Farmer I Am/poets united midweek motif Charity

A Farmer I Am

You ask, “What do you know
Of frustration and heartbreak?”
I a farmer for low these many years
With my shoulder to the plough

Have planted with great expectations
And more than once 
The seeds were caught by the wind
Only to blow away

Into my neighbor’s fields
The rains came and flooded the fields
The rains didn’t come
Everything dried to ash

The dry fields blew away
One wonders why continue
And yet I remember
The harvests well
When there was plenty

For me and my family
And for all the neighbors, too
The satisfaction of success
Is greater than that of failure

September 4, 2018




19 comments:

Susan said...

HOW THE TIDE CAN TURN ON A FARMER FROM PLENTY TO SCARCITY! I like the voice in this poem, how you capture the hardship in clear terms.

Sumana Roy said...

Love the determination and the resolution, most wonderful traits of a farmer. Almost like a determined poet, digging with his pen. Nice.

Jae Rose said...

I love the unique voice this poem has

indybev said...


Your words resonate with me, having grown up on a farm in the corn belt of Illinois. There is an element of hope and trust in the heart of every farmer … hope that the weather is good, and trust that crops won't fail.

annell4 said...

Yes, Sumana, I was thinking of us, too. I guess we have to be determined, or we wouldn't even try.

annell4 said...

Thank you for your comment, Jae.

annell4 said...

Thank you for your comment, Beverly, your words are true.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Thankfully, farmers keep on planting. The bounty of harvest is wonderful, when the fates conspire with the right amount of weather.

annell4 said...

Yes, it does depend on the weather. Thanks for your comment.

Gillena Cox said...

A beautiful message of endurance courage and sharing, Annell

much love...

Carrie Van Horn said...

I think it would take a great amount of courage and inner strength to be a farmer. A wonderful poem Annell!

tonispencer said...

I like how this poem combines both the both and the frustration in the life of a farmer. Sort of like being a waterman - it all depends on the weather.

annell4 said...

Thank you Gillian, for coming by and for reading. And thank you for yoir comment,.

annell4 said...

Yes, Carrie, I agree, but I think no matter what our profession, we are tested. Thanks for your comment.

annell4 said...

Thank you Toni for your comment.

S.E.Ingraham said...

I often wonder how farmers deal with the uncertainties that must plague them - weather, pests, being dependent on things outside their control...well-penned poem on the give and take in that profession in particular.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

However, sometimes failure can be satisfying too, especially if it leads us away from a path that we were never meant to take.

annell4 said...

SE Ingraham, I think they must everyday. Thanks for your comments.

annell4 said...

Dear MMT, you are probably right, but who can say?

Not Just A Cup

  Not Just a Cup       Southern born Not a tea drinker Always coffee For me   Although I often find  Bitter taste Of the dark brew A bit muc...