Where The Maize Grows

(Intimidating)

Where tractor tracks have marked a path

we walk where farmer's fields divide.

On either side are sentinels,

formidable on guard they stand.

A shield that looms above our heads,

full green, a wall where silence speaks.

"Keep out" I hear "don't trespass here",

a whisper echoes in my ear 

and I for one quite happily

pass through and do so hastily.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

' , a wall where silence speaks.' Thinking on that sentence. Closing eyes, seeing how it is, what It can mean.

So many paused footsteps, Chris, barricades to freedom of speech, thought and movement. Everywhere. You name it. Your words are subtly clever as clever, used the countryside and its waiting harvest.. seems life and all it means is suspended like that Damoclean (?) sword.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em. I do enjoy finding out where my lines take the reader. I always find those little journeys so interesting. Those maize fields were intimidating for sure. Gets the mind wandering.

Chris

[emmajoy]

Seems there are signs like that everywhere these days. The right to be Self - and accepted for it, is a taboo at times. Sad world.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahhhhh the field of maize ... a maizing she bespeaks its silent whispers ;) what the heck is she out there in that farmers field anyway ... risking a load of buckshot ... my thoughts go to a lot of places in this poem .. mostly at harvest time as that is when farmers do create a maze amidst the maize :) but these sentinals are green .. makes me think of the movie "Children of the Corn" aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! best to stay on those tractor tracks .. no doubt about it ... a country girl scooting home between the fields .. what a delightbul poem says i! there is mystery, danger and innosence all around a childlike imagination ... I like it Christine .. i like the setting and scene .. the unstructured rhyme and line .. yet it reads easily for me .. the flow controled more by common sense that structure ... don't go into the corn my friend ... people disappear in there .. especially children
E.

[Chris Shaw]

A good morning from me to a late sleeper methinks Mr E. It was mid summer, we were on one of our boating trips and I was an explorer walking alone hrough these intimidating cornfields. There was a gentle breeze, I heard the whispering and the child in me took over :) I quickened my pace. My slow walk ended up in a jog. Thank you for checking this one out. Nice to be reminded of summer when we are still in our winter clothes. Hope you are keeping busy and well my friend.

I will have to find out more about children if the corn. Right up my street :)

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

ohhhh its a scary, disconcerting movie .. for me anyway .. as you began to jog did the hair raise on the back of your neck? ;)))))))))

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha. I certainly felt a tickle, but that was my long loose locks having a bit of fun. I don't mind being scared as long as it doesn't involve blood or gore. Any chance of that and I'm sprinting at record pace:)

[Einstein Noodle]

:))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[Harmony Lee]

What is the proper term for this metric pattern, like 4 beats each with 2 subdivisions, emphasis on every other subdivision? I use this a lot myself, and I notice you use it in quite a number of your poems as well. Anyway, this piece allows the reader to engage in such a saturated way with the emotion of being ... perhaps intimidated is the most fitting word ... and daring within that intimidation.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. I am not aware of this style having a specific name. Sometimes I just write and it pours out. My earlier poems are very structured, in strict rhyme and meter. I seem to have evolved, found my own way now, which I am more comfortable with.

Chris

[Harmony Lee]

I have been experiencing the reverse, with my more recent poems becoming increasingly structured. I think this is because they deal with more deeply soulfelt experiences, and the structure helps me to articulate what occurs to me as painful and difficult whereas freewriting seems overwhelming to me with such content.

[Chris Shaw]

It's strange how our muse works. Every now and then I revert to a more classical style. I quite enjoy the variety.

[Robert Trakofler]

Where i grew up corn stalks out number people 20 to one:) when passing thru them the sound of the wind bristling thru them and the way they sway in unison like soldiers as the breeze blows thru will give anyone goosebumps:) nice capture in a very old school voice in this poem Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Bunny. Every now and again the classical style breaks through. You understand perfectly the intimidation I felt and the whispers with it. Not hanging about there that's for sure :))

Have yourself a lovely day my friend.

Chris

[Beccy]

Aside from how evocative the imagery conveyed in this poem is, it is quite beautifully composed; takes me back to my childhood reading of the English Romantics.

An absolute joy to read.

Beccy.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Beccy thank you for your lovely comments. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Ah, when we are young, we dare to do a lot of things we might not do as adults. Walking into a field you know you are not supposed to be in....scary really. Sentinels stand guard? Are they the trees or the crops in the field? Yes, best to get through the field as quickly as possible! I liked this one...as usual, you paint a vivid picture. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Crop had reached the height of eight feet, towering over us, and on either side. Whispering in the wind, it was do eerie. You are right about children. They would have walked straight into it. Thanks for your visit Lydi**. Always like your responses.

Chris

[Kent Rawski]

All those movies about the corn children have made their impression

[Chris Shaw]

I guess they must have been pretty scary Kent. I will have to look this one up and find out more. Interesting to find where my words took you. All the best and thanks for the visit.

Chris

[Crowley]

Lol...as a youngster I detailed corn in the summers. A really s****y job but paid well. Those leaves will cut you, so it’s best to walk slowly and don’t listen to the conversation!!! Loved this!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Crowley, happy to find out where my poem took you. All the best.

Chris

[TheJordBaker]

A great piece, as so often you've raised a smile.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jordan, appreciate your visit.

Chris

[gram linski]

all hail the ramblers rights watch out for the angry coos,, I know what I'm talking about, lol

[Chris Shaw]

It was a lovely walk gram, quite near the river but that maize was intimidating in height and spooky. Thanks for your visit. Yes let the ramblers ramble :)

Chris.