Beneath His Watch

Would the scarecrow climb down from his perch,
his job done and the fields fallow,
the promise of a harvest satisfied
as the roughened hands of the season

gently lay him down upon the plant stubble,
bewitched he watches the white thumbprint
clouds glide slowly over his loose supine body
from an angle most unique, and he sleeps,

until the loam is plowed and turned and the earth
tosses off her frosted frock and awakens the scarecrow
who will arise once more taking his strategic post
protecting the fragility of the life beneath his watch.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

very interesting take on the scarecrow .. they have been used so much lately as an image of peril and great harm .. you have lifted them to new heights ... your language is excellent ... full of warmth, the circle of seasons and Mother Earth ... had to read a couple times ... feels good!
E.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks for such a nice review Einstein. It's fun to look at things from a different angle just like the scarecrow. Thanks again

[Kelsey B.]

Beautiful language. Very clear and well-written concrete details

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for reading.

[Sam Gregory]

This is good, good use of intricate vocabulary and imagery tbh. The only thing I didn't like is how the stanzas continue from eachother with half a line on the previous one and the other half on the next one. Just threw me off a little as I'm used to a kind of pause between stanzas. Overall interesting piece though, a good read :) Keep it up

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Sam- punctuation is not always my strongest area and I do tend to write as it flows. Thanks for reading.

[Sam Gregory]

No problemo

[Matt Sayer]

Fantastic! I especially love the phrase 'the earth tosses off her frosted frock'. Really succinct yet dense; love it!

Your language is excellent, and your imagery vivid and clear. Brilliant work!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much I am happy you liked that line! I appreciate the review.

[Matt Sayer]

Not a problem! You can never have too much feedback! :)

[KLMazon]

Very enjoyable read, thank you for sharing!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much for reading and commenting.

[kublakhan27]

I say this not to make light of the subject matter, but it reminded me of "If I Only Had A Brain" from Wizard of Oz. There is a great deal of wiggle room for metaphors here, with the redemption of the final stanza being the thought that resonates with me the most. Well done my friend.

[icelandicblue]

Ha! I used the word loose just because of that scarecrow. Thanks so much!

[kublakhan27]

Always a pleasure :)

[Jack...]

Anne, this was beautiful. It seems at times we all stand watch, protecting what lives around us from the evils that perch high above waiting their turn. If only it was so easy to rest during off months, for those seem so few and far between these days. Still, the flannel shirt and straw stuffed hats are a wonderful reminder that beauty can be found if only we look out over those fields and find it. Very well done my friend.

[icelandicblue]

Jack,
How wonderful to see you. There is beauty just about everywhere if we choose to look for it. I appreciate your thoughts.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

What a uniquely beautiful subject for a poem! I love the idea of the scarecrow resting after his work has been completed, and your use of language really makes the reader feel for this poor fellow. The "clouds gliding slowly over his loose supine body" and "the earth tosses off her frosted frock and awakens the scarecrow" were my favorite lines. Love!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you do much Linda. I always love to find which lines or imagery speak to the reader. I thank you for sharing that with me.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

You're so welcome. :-)

[Muse]

This poem took me to a safe place. Resting peacefully beneath the gaze of the protector. There was something heavenly about this....if felt old fashioned, like Ernest Hemmingway....it was almost nostalgic.

[icelandicblue]

I like your view of the old fashioned scene in this piece. Thank you so much Muse.

[Creepy Swine Guy]

This poem is wonderful, both in the wordcraft, which is always spot on from you, and in the idea. In retrospect it seems so obvious that with his work complete, the scarecrow should be afforded his well deserved season's rest. I love it, but couldn't we have gotten him a blankey?

[icelandicblue]

I know I didn't think of any covers-poor scarecrow. Thanks so much for reading.