Tall grass gone to seed dances with breeze,
its final sways, a lively tawn in cloudless sky.
A small engine revs, announcing last call,
while bluebirds and dragonflies wait.
Its final sways, a lively tawn in cloudless sky;
still surprised at the length of its reprieve, is
content with there being no standing tomorrow.
A small engine revs, announcing last call
to scurry as the micro-forest falls.
Green aerosol, grass chips fly; patrons flee
while bluebirds and dragonflies wait;
there are persistent mouths to feed
on this windy, beautiful summery day.
Backstory:
Three weeks or so ago I ran over something in the field near the boat that sheared the belt on the rider. The usual place ended pickup and delivery last year when covid started as their 80-year-old pickup and delivery man was at risk. This meant calling around to the usual suspects. Both places had waiting lists of 60 or so. This sent me calling to a different place, which ended up being a blessing, as they picked it up the next day and got it back to me a couple of days ago. By then the unmowed part of the field had grown quite tall. This poem is about that.
image: “Grass Meets Sky,” by J. Cianelli
Grace is today’s host of dVerse’ Meet The Bar. Grace says:
Today’s writing challenge is to write a trimeric, following the pattern invented by Charles A. Stone.
Tao Talk 
What a lovely windy summery day with that field with the waiting bluebirds and dragonflies. I can feel the energy & movements of the day!
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Many thanks, Grace :) <3
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Oh… I let the grass grow tall… and maybe later I will move in with my scythe… such a pleasure not having to rely on machines.
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Bjorn, I’ve seen them used in movies but have never seen one for sale. Very awesome you have that skill in your toolkit. My preference is to keep it mowed to keep the swarms of grasshoppers, crickets, voles, etc. away from the house.
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This is incredibly stunning, Lisa! Each stanza is strong enough to stand on its own especially; “Its final sways, a lively tawn in cloudless sky;
still surprised at the length of its reprieve is content with there being no standing tomorrow.” 💝💝
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So pleased it pleases you, Sanaa. Thank you! <3
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Lisa,
This is gorgeous and so focused on a small biome with its inhabitants and their contentment in each moment’s adjustments. I loved sinking into this space.
pax,
dora
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Dora, thank you very much. It is a wonderful space to sink into <3
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So much happening in this microcosmic slice of life in a field. City dwellers miss a lot, forming tunnel vision and apathy. Your poem shines and is a killer trimeric.
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Thank you very much, I appreciate your comment, Glenn. Sometimes it feels like I miss a lot living out of the city, but it’s just different things I encounter.
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Such an interesting perspective, focused on the tiny world of the grass. I really like the image too. It seems to fit a trimeric, as it is divided into three main fields of color.
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Thanks for the feedback, Susan, I didn’t notice the 3 fields of color!
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You create beautiful poems out of the ordinary.
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Sadje, that’s where the magic happens :) Thank you!
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Indeed, you’re welcome my friend
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Great job Lisa! Your back story helped a lot. Sorry about your broken belt
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Me too! It had been fully gone over and everything tweaked last year. The belt was virtually new :(
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Very sad indeed! Glad you got it fixed!
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I enjoyed this and I could see the grass growing tall. I like how you pick up on the small details such as the creatures living in the grass. The birds often feed on the small insects.
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Thank you, Truedessa. I usually have a squadron of dragonflies with me also, but too early in the year so just a few this time. You should have seen the swarms of grasshoppers in the tall grass trying to get away.
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The imagery is so vivid. I almost felt as if I was there, standing amid the micro-forest. Beautiful poem, Li!
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Shweta, many thanks, glad you connected with the poem :)
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I think this form works so well with nature poetry, as you have illustrated beautifully here! I thought you were describing a plane engine until I read your explainer. Either way, it works!
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Many thanks and I appreciate you sharing what your eyes see <3
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‘Content with there being no standing tomorrow’ changes all perspectives instantly.
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Thank you for your perspective on it, Reena :)
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The breeze, the dragonflies, the truck sound feel so so real to me because of your vivid weaving. Reminded me of good old day in my hometown.
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Glad it brought back happy times of your hometown, Rosemarie. Thank you.
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We don’t often look so closely at the context of our everyday actions. I like the multiple viewpoints. (K)
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Thanks, K.
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Fabulous the way you have captured the world amongst the grasses . Love the artwork too.
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Marion, thank you!
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Lovely poem, Msjadeli, illustrating not just a landscape but a soundscape :-)
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Sunra, thank you :)
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We forget sometimes that our little disasters don’t make any difference to nature. She just keeps on growing.
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nature’s eyes are blind
to our little disasters —
lilies bloom; chicks fledge
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You brought words to life, in living colors and real sounds. Great write!
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Helen, thank you <3
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while bluebirds and dragonflies wait;
there are persistent mouths to feed
Part of the consequences normal in such emergencies. Many may be disadvantaged. Love to see your direct involvement in this risky venture, Jade!
Hank
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Hank, I do my part :) Thank you very much.
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The distaff side of the lockdown–the plants and creatures reprieved of human intrusion. An inspiring and hopeful take.
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Thank you, Alexandra!
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I was right there amidst the tall grass, Li! Your closing lines were stunning. ❤️
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Punam, I’m glad I took you there, thank you <3
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My pleasure.
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What a truly wonderful poem about cutting the grass Lisa. Great drama and mystery! I enjoyed this a great deal 🙂
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Rob, thanks! I know you like your nature poetry.
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You really took us there. Beautiful writing.
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Thank you :)
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Such a pleasure.
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the dervish of death, that mower. but if you like to have clear sightlines, necessary ~
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Thanks for reading and your comment, and yes.
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