Screams From a Quiet Land

From the heartland

I am the one who came in a ship

Within the guts of a rusty steel beast

A country left behind with everything I knew

My will is strong, my resolve is true

I will be the one that in time will endure

 

I work within halls of smoke

Making the things your desires evoke

Feeling hell's heat on winter time

No time for love, no tears to cry.

 

Days come and go

Like paintings from Van Gogh

I am the flesh behind progress

Second thought for those in Congress

 

My face reflects where I have been

Blue eyes behind leathered skin

The blood within my veins

Fertilizes the land that feeds the brains

 

Hands full of soy and corn

Eyes stained with pain and mourn

Chicken and beer

Or shrimp étouffée

A full belly before the needed rest.

 

Through my labor my flag stands

I am everything in this land

 

I am my father and the one before him

I left behind my Hymn

But my identity is still within me

My home is my heart, my house is right here

I am the legs that propel us to dare

 

I own the rivers and the plains

I smile when I see my entire reign

Within these snow covered mountains

The sun is my life, the sky is my fountain

 

A desert suitable for adobes

With whisky I dare sing with coyotes

Everything around me is true

My lungs are full of pure blue

 

An August sun and no shadow

A smile that's chewed too much tobacco

Hands full of October's best

A back aching on a rocking chair

 

Grapes ready to be pressed

New cars and trucks ready for the press

The Gulf watching over fragile homes

While hopelessness offers to dark forces

 

The wind rips what little hair I got

I am all religions rolled into one

My sweat is organic in every way

Sells well in chic markets and cafes

 

The work is hard and anonymous

But it's free from crayon politics.

Our strength comes from mutual support

Through drought or flood,

Fire or storm

 

I am neither delicate nor eloquent

I am invisible but not irrelevant

Amusing I might be for you

Without me you wouldn't be you.

 

Through my labor my flag stands

I am everything in this land.

Reviews

[Bluefire]

"I work within halls of smoke
Making the things your desires evoke
Feeling hell's heat on winter time
No time for love, no tears to cry."
~*~
"The sun is my life, the sky is my fountain"
~*~
"With whisky I dare sing with coyotes"
~*~
I like the way you've painted this picture, to me, your tune sounded out of this world yet at just as many points, very down to earth.
Very well done. ^^

[Rosi S. Phillips]

Incredible. It was so great, and not only painted a picture but pulled readers through time. If you haven't already, I suggest submitting it to a literary magazine. Narrative maybe?

[♔ CrownedDevil &#..]

The wind rips what little hair I got
I am all religions rolled into one
My sweat is organic in every way
Sells well in chic markets and cafes

Beautifully written.

[Dilan Gunawardana]

This is a beautifully written poem. It's like listening to the heartbeat of working-class America. Thanks for sharing Al

[New Theory]

One of the best poems I have read. Beautifully captivating.

[TL Boehm]

exquisite write indicative of what our families must have gone through, those who came here with nothing to work hard so we could have what we have. Beautifully penned.

[Al R. Arce]

Runner Up in the Promote Me! III (Poetry) writing contest.

[Ashira Macy]

There was a lot to absorb in this piece, which I like. I gather you are talking about our ancestors and farmers, forefathers and ranchers who came in and made this country what it is today. Yes, often times they are forgotten, but as you said, not irrelevant. We have a rich history that is important to remember. Well done.

[Al R. Arce]

Thank you so much for your review! One of the great things about poetry is that it leaves so much to the reader. The writer does not need to fill in the gaps. Well reviewed!