Choose a photo as a starting point for your writing today.
Add one detail of color.
Hardscrabble Farm
Caught in the middle of a life,
eking out an almost existence.
No rain, poor soil; and always
the dirt, fine black-brown earth,
the dirt, fine black-brown earth,
day and night, drifting like snow,
swirling in all directions. Powdery,
swirling in all directions. Powdery,
gritty, silting into every cranny,
filling his nose and eyes, covering
bed sheets, coating blankets and skin,
bed sheets, coating blankets and skin,
in the milk and in the water.
And the moaning, wailing wind,
sighing long and low, complaining,
getting into his head, night and day.
8 comments:
Wonderfully written. Feels dry and blowy and cracked at the edges. Well done!
Great observation, fine commentary!
My Day Three is here
The milk is a perfect detail.
You caught the mood perfectly!
You caught the mood perfectly!
Perfect description of the photo, Marianne. I now have read 3 poems using this photo. I chose it also, but wrote from the perspective of the dog.
Pamela
For some reason this reminds me of Grapes of Wrath, the hardscrabble existence that nurtured the story. Great detail and I agree with Barb, the milk is an excellent focus.
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/such-words-as-i-cannot-find-now/
You've really conjured a mood with this piece, Marianne. It would be a good accompanying piece to some young adult novels I use with kids. Is it okay if I print out a copy and file it for later use in my classroom? I'd credit you author, of course.
It's weird to show up to the party so late, but still fun to write and read. ;)
Post a Comment