A Way From the Trade

A son of the foundry falls in with a daughter of the fields. In his life before the only relationships he knew were vessels for transaction; in this strange new thing he is slow to trust.

Have you always felt this way?
Have you always felt the sway of the ages,
the drifting and drafting of loose-leaf pages,
in limbs ever-creaking from far-flung breeze?
Have you always stood firm as the trees?
And was it for trust you bared root, or treason?
Where broken road staggered my praise of the season,
the colors and forms, you smiled at my apt expense.

One smile could disarm my defense.
And how is it one so unyielding in storm
could bend to a whispering gentle and warm
when the children can’t help but inquire?
In perspective, is nothing so dire?
And is it for love you bear fruit, or bargain?
To one who was raised in the Trade, with its jargon,
sincerity seldom is looked-for.

Author's Note

All comments are welcome, but please understand that the poem is supposed to be a bit difficult to piece out and comprehend.

Reviews

[Zoya]

Yeah, it sure is a bit complex to understand. I think it's mostly about love and trust, again, not too sure. The second stanza was comparatively easy to comprehend. Love sure can sway one away and melt the boldest of hearts. It was nicely written. Well done!

[Joel Crow]

Thank you for your thoughts. It is about trying to trust in the sincere affection when all you're familiar with is cold, distant, transactional relationships.

[Zoya]

Oh. You're welcome.

[Delmar Cooper]

While I like the poem it seems a mite wordy to me. I'd rather see an essay than a poem that stretches out like a first baseman to catch a rhyme.
That being said I mostly agree with what is said; bold truth is a delightful rare find in poetry. Courage to state truth is in short supply.

As to sincerity, I'm not so certain. I often write very insincerely to make a point. Fiction is my forte' and romance on short notice is a specialty of the house. Besides, Hitler was sincere.

[Joel Crow]

Thank you for your comments. The poem itself is not so much a statement of my own philosophy as the expression of a character in a story, as you can see in the subtitle.
Can I ask if there is a single line, or more than one, in particular that seems to stretch for a rhyme? The meter is accurate to my ear, and I'm not aware myself of any line where meaning is sacrificed for rhyme, but I appreciate specific feedback.