Old Man

Where grass and bending flowers Grew once like the weeds The field empty and barren For lack of sowing seeds

 

The old gray man alone now

attends to his dusty fields

Watering the emptiness

where the land no longer yields

______________________________

He wove his web of fashions

from the tears his pains had sprung

Where once he sang of starlight

back when both their hearts were young

______________________________

Then came the winds a-calling

turned to run a-hoping sure

To reach where she was lying

 sharing pains they'd both endure

_____________________________

The gales did blow around him

precious memories, he'd miss

Drops would fall upon his lips

those that hers would never kiss

______________________________

Where grass and bending flowers 

grew together like the weeds

Lie meadows all but barren

for the lack of sowing seeds

______________________________

The blushing, blowing Poppies

that once grew all around near

Fill the fields with memories

of the love he once lost here

______________________________

Each time he treads on his land

howling, sow-west winds a-blow

Not belonging, feels the longing

 mercy only God may know

Author's Note

I knew a man like this once. His life all but lived. He patiently waited for the end.Which wasn't long in coming. Children give us the legacy that makes the bitterness of our short life more tolerable

Reviews

[Devanshu Rajput]

This is one of the finest piece of poetry that, that I ever came across on this earth. What, flabbergasts me is not only the structure, but the story, that touches my heart.

This masterpiece is like nothing. Your note, deeply moved me. Indeed, kindness and humanity is something that can be felt, by everyone. In a nutshell,

"Compassion is an universal language''

Thanks, for bringing to fore this, piece.

Devanshu

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Dev I thought i had responded to this from you I see i havent.

[Devanshu Rajput]

I'm glad you responded late, because this way, I got to read your piece again.

You're welcome. Take care.

Devanshu

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you young man

[quinfinn]

another resonant and ponderous write from one of w/c's true masters. tate, this is gorgeous and compelling. well stroked!

[Cherrie Palmer]

from the flow of words to the flow of lines in the picture this is simply lovely

[saunved]

There it is once again, unsurprisingly...an AMAZING poem by you!

[Pratik]

Superb write! How did I missed out on this one? this poem speaks of reality - but at the same time manages to give the story the touch of a fabled land - something I always like about your poems. Its an unique camaraderie of truth and dreaminess. One of your best Tate :)

[Marie]

Nothing can grow where nothing nourishes...memories that contain only loss hide the future...

[Cree Nations]

Stark reality.

Thank you

[BlackRose]

Again, words intertwining so well, like colors stroking a canvas, blending in tasteful unity. What negatives can I say... none.

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

This poem has it's sadness and tears away at the heart, but it is fitting that good in this man's life would be abundant enough to earn him a tribute. As it was a bit painful to see his story coming to an end, it is just as much an inspiration to seek out our happiness and bask in its light before it is too late. Excellent work here.