Like River Grass

behold tall bold river grass
as it sways in a westerly
morning breakfast breeze

moving with overhead cloud
before its flexible backbone
returns to o’clock

while biscuit coloured foxtail
plumes brush the cool dry air
in feather duster tickles

as the whole cycle
repeats like a stuck stylus and
i recall our own species

how we can bend with
wind change to bounce back
after a battering

while some sadly break
to become crushed by
all that’s belligerent

not all are resilient
not all can go with the flow
for even in a lakeside show

casualties of cruelty
inflicted by fickle ways of nature
lie bruised and broken

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL I got a crook in my neck and my legs aren't what they used to be my arms can't reach nearly as high and strong as they used to:( I'm trying to get back upright but you'll forgive me if I can't stand as proud as I once was my dear Chris:) but my heart and my spirit still stand 10 feet high and wrestle with all the nettles along the shoreline:) Lovely lovely lovely lines

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Robert, your review warms me. Thank you so much for your kindness. Take good care of yourself.

[Andra Dare]

This has the feeling of a parable in a painting that depicts two worlds, the objective and the subjective, both beautiful and sad, both sensible and senseless. Maybe. :) I find myself reflecting on sociological considerations. Some people are stable enough to grow deep roots, and some aren't so fortunate. But I wonder; maybe some humans sans roots, unlike plants, can sail on the wind in a storm, and land on their feet when it's over?

[Chris Shaw]

I thank you Andra for sharing your thoughts. I certainly think there are those people who can surprise us all by surviving the storms when we least expect it. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Ursa major]

"How can we bend with wind change to bounce us back" That line is raw and powerful and I agree with every word in that stanza. Also, I loved the description it defiantly put a detailed picture in my mind! We are all river grass trying to bounce back from life's ups and downs, With nature guiding us through it.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Ursa Major for your visit. Pleased you enjoyed my poem and the observations contained in the stanzas. Happy you stopped by.

[William Michael Reeves]

Thought I was on a nature walk at first, then your subject revealed itself as the words bent in the weight of how profound the subject is. Weather it's humans at war or nations, some are fragile and break while others rebound in the flexibility of perseverance and strength. Nice metaphor, good poem = strong reaction. May all of the oppressed be supple enough to stand back up!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Bill. Haven’t seen you around for a while so I appreciate your visit and your thoughts. Have a happy Saturday.

[Montana ~ Arthur Henn]

Your poem is well-written and effectively conveys its message. The imagery of the river grass and foxtail plumes is vivid and evocative, and the contrast between the two plants is used effectively to illustrate the theme of resilience. The poem also has a nice flow and rhythm to it, which enhances its overall impact.

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you enjoyed this poem Arthur. Thank you for stopping by to share your thoughts. You are appreciated.

[Steel Magnolia]

Wonderful imagery -the parallel between nature and humanity , so well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Steel Magnolia. Your thoughts are kindly received and appreciated.

[Jon Mahaffie]

You've hit a bunch of killer lines in this poem, Chris. Some real fire here. Reminds me a bit of one of my favorite poems, Thistles, by Ted Hughes (https://allpoetry.com/Thistles). I really liked "biscuit coloured foxtail plumes", "feather duster tickles", and "breakfast breeze". I liked how, yes, men, like those long grasses, are resilient and and resolute, but hey, getting stepped on is getting stepped on, and sometimes there's not a whole lot we can do about that. Another interesting sneaky nuance meaning that jumped out to me was in the part about us bending with the wind, changing to bounce back after a battering, and that it reminded me of how cultural pressure can both literally break us, or bolster us/stand us back up, depending on our orientation/stance in the midst of that pressure. Can we divert it, can we harness it? Or will it destroy us?

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Jon. Really appreciate this thorough review from you and for pointing out the lines you enjoyed most. I will have to check that Ted Hughes poem out. Not one known to me. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I get much pleasure from observing the natural environment and in doing so can see similarities with our own species. I am delighted at the interest you have shown in my poetry. Big thanks to you.

[Jon Mahaffie]

Well the pleasure is all mine, it's fun to read, and to get back into the swing of things, writing-wise, it's been a while for me since I felt like writing. Thanks for the help!

[Chris Shaw]

I hope you get round to posting some new work soon Jon.

[Dave Brown]

i earlier read a remark wondering if you knew how good your work had become
this is another example that confirms that remark
very nicely done

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Dave for your very encouraging comments. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Have a good Sunday.

[andrew mitchell]

Only the strong survive and like river grass bends to change and conflict- goes with the flow so to speak comes to mind.

[Chris Shaw]

Going with the flow. Flexibility, being able to adjust to unseen circumstances helps in survival. Thank you Andrew. Interesting to watch river grass. So like our own species.

[duff]

The opening line gave me goosebumps. Cerebral lines.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you duff. Pleased you stopped by. Hope all is good in your world. Enjoy the rest of your day.