Depressed Poet, Winter Field
Depressed Poet, Winter Field
Wraith stalks would loom
over the field
like widows’ weeds
if last year’s hay
were earth’s spouse, and “widows’ weeds”
did not mean rough cloth, but whatever stands up
in loss.
That none of these “ifs’ are true,
yet also are,
is what keeps someone shaped like me
walking this field,
this earth, this rebirth.
********************
55 words (plus title) for Kerry O’ Connor’s prompt on With Real Toads. Kerry’s prompt talks of using words without direct translations–I wasn’t consciously thinking of that when writing this poem, but perhaps it sort of fits. Sorry if I owe people comments–a very busy time, but will get to you.
Pic is mine (as well, of course, as poem). All rights reserved. k.
Explore posts in the same categories: poetry, UncategorizedTags: 55 word poem, field of gold and grief, flash 55, if words could talk poem, manicddaily, widows weeds, wraith stalks
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ManicDDaily 
February 7, 2016 at 2:09 am
This time of year can feel so heavy, the fields are dead, but there’s something in the air of promise… A waiting room perhaps? The mourning feeling of grass as widow’s weed is marvellous.
February 7, 2016 at 8:18 am
‘whatever stands up in loss,’ indeed. Haunting and sad, with that winter lack that goes down to the bone.
February 7, 2016 at 9:00 am
A very nice exposure on the picture–foreground and bright sky with the ‘right’ look. I think of our winter this year as more of an extended autumn. We haven’t had much of the snow cover that always serves to disguise the dismal reality of the natural world dying off all around us. It takes a hardy psyche to ‘stand up to this loss,’ as you put it. But you’ve distilled the feeling of it all so nicely in your 55.
Steve K.
February 7, 2016 at 9:29 am
I like your descriptive, yet poetic words giving voice to a heavy, winter space.
February 7, 2016 at 10:48 am
I hope now you have a little snow covering that field. Somehow it helps in February.
February 7, 2016 at 11:01 am
No snow! But am feeling a bit better today. Thanks. k.
On Sun, Feb 7, 2016 at 10:48 AM, ManicDDaily wrote:
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February 7, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Love the photo and “someone shaped like me”.
February 7, 2016 at 3:18 pm
Haunting and sad.
February 7, 2016 at 6:38 pm
This is profoundly beautiful!
February 7, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Thanks so much, Sherry. K.
February 8, 2016 at 4:01 am
is what keeps someone shaped like me
walking this field,
Despite not knowing what the outcome one still gives in to feelings of love and hope for the best. Great take K
Hank
February 8, 2016 at 8:16 am
A very satisfying read.
February 8, 2016 at 8:34 am
There are certain states of mind which are difficult to address in a single word.
I thought this very well-expressed:
“widows’ weeds”
…..(means) whatever stands up
in loss.
February 8, 2016 at 9:49 am
Brilliant comparisons here.
February 8, 2016 at 1:43 pm
You captured a familiar scene in a novel and striking way.
February 9, 2016 at 1:15 pm
but whatever stands up
in loss.
a widow bears much. Last year’s hay (to me a horse person) means a lot. We must use it up as the nutrient content gets depleted and really shouldn’t feed it to the horses after a certain amount of time. So strength too ebbs… “widow weeds” only fortify for a certain amount of time.
I liked this a lot