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| Texas Wheat Harvest |
I watch her mix the potions,
rooted now by earthen cords,
to all my life’s emotions.
The mandrake root submerged
grows large and takes the shape
of specters who have haunted me;
I cry, “I must escape!”
I question all the reasons
compelling me to stay.
What will release my soul to soar
and let me fly away.
I rub myself with clover,
then wish it all anew
The harvest crops of summer,
enrich all winter through.
I allow myself to love
to stretch beyond the field;
I’ll move to where all life began
And never will I yield.
A circle now united
by the seasons of this ball
This magic world is infinite,
the end encircles all.
© Gay Reiser Cannon * All Rights Reserved
There are indeed such beautiful 'potions being mixed this season of the year, Gay. And indeed we do live in a 'magic world.'
ReplyDeletepotions, rooted by earthen cords...love this...a bit of magic in the circling of the season..allowing to love, stretch beyond the field..this is great..the rubbing with clover, questioning the reasons...so many great lines gay...you mix the magic well
ReplyDeleteThe crops, the fields, all lend to the magical cycle of life, and each season enriches the other..I see a lovely tribute to nature, and respect for the all of nature's bounty and the mysterious ways in which all comes to fruition. Lovely poem, Gay :))
ReplyDeleteharvest time, a time to reap and move onwards. Such a beautiful rhythm to this one - reads almost like a song.
ReplyDeleteYou well harvest the first fruits, the music is palpable as is the sound of wind through the tall grass prairie. This one resonated in the ancient spaces within, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI was caught by the timelessness of the first stanza, then felt it all sort of ball up, rolling over and outward, as time does, maybe pushing, maybe flattening us, maybe embedding us in its stickiness and taking us forward, willy nilly, though of course the narrator has her own views about where she's going. I love all the natural references here, also, Gay, and the rhyme is lovely and effective.
ReplyDeleteThe message is quite profound. What is it in the human consciousnesses that makes us feel like earth is not quite home?
ReplyDeleteYou've captured the infinite circle this universe dances around. The poem is so rich with images, and it reads so well.
I liked the reference to the pineal gland in our own brain, the substances it makes for us and linking that to the woman mixing potions for another kind of earth based magic. It ties us into the earth and its circular nature and the unique piece we bring by stretching ourselves to love. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis should be how we all feel about the land, it nurtures us and we in turn should care for it to and not abuse it in so many ways. This is a timeless piece and also very beautiful in its softness and imagery.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful world of words you created in your poetry.
ReplyDeleteThe connection we each have with all earthly elements, indeed, with all creatures large and small resonates strongly in this tightly written piece. No waste, no want.
ReplyDeletenice...there is deep magic a foot in your verse...love the rubbing over clover, neat symbolism in that....and the freedom found...great touches of earth and nature....and it just flows...smiles.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful write, Gay. Great little details. :)
ReplyDeleteI am thinking of Donne - get with child a mandrake root! Very magical - the beginning especially - we're all tied to earth somehow. k.
ReplyDeleteYour poem reads like a balm to a weary soul. Beautiful tempo, rhymes and images. I flowed along with the words.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful ode to the season and the harvest, Gay. And, oh, I love the notion of her (Anu, perhaps?) mixing up potions.
ReplyDeleteWonderful rhythm, could almost dance to this :-) A perfect autumn/harvest poem.
ReplyDeleteA smart poem. It educates and informs. It's real and not contrived, leading me and readers in the journey. A very good poem, the kind I know I like.
ReplyDeleteGraceful and poised...this is beautifully rendered...I am a Pagan and so see much beauty in this! Wonderful piece xo
ReplyDeleteThe end encircles all...it's a great original way to put things, as we all--even mother earth--grow to an end. I love your mandrake root, an apt and venerable image/metaphor
ReplyDeleteThe circle of life, beauty, fertility, yielding only that sewn..... And the end encircles all.... Gay this is one of my favorites....
ReplyDeleteBeautifully symbolic and musical. The rhyming scheme is so smooth I didn't even notice it in the first few lines. Very nice.
ReplyDeleterub myself with clover,
ReplyDeletethen wish it all anew
The harvest crops of summer,
enrich all winter through.
I allow myself to love
to stretch beyond the field;
I’ll move to where all life began
And never will I yield. -
all through
and in between each and every line -
I definitely
soared with this Gay :)
Pure Magic!!! x x x hugs and love Lib
Wonderfully natural piece, Gay, fecund and loamy with possibilities. Love the clover, and the general tone.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem, Gay-- I love this: I allow myself to love
ReplyDeleteto stretch beyond the field;-- such empowering and mystical overtones in this poem. xxxj
Seems several of us are in the fields this week. This resonates with old magic, a feeling I love, Gay.
ReplyDeleteGene
absolutely lovely. it was very easy to get lost in the spell your words created.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is a magic potion in itself! It painted me a beautiful picture of the circle of life. Beautiful write.
ReplyDeleteLove how ethereal and eternal this feels. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Gay. Let's hope for many potions to last and keep us through winter to spring and around again.
ReplyDelete