at last

today the sky lies alone, drear grey

sans sun, sans a sound of coos or caws

pale cheeked sheep blend with hawthorn,

brown cows match mess of yesterday's meal

four uniformed girls yawn in unison

uncombed, cornflakes staring at spoons

mother peeps her purse - one assigned note,

deletes cake, adds over-ripe bananas

key in door, dad enters, eyes shadowed, 

part time work rare, army once regular

kettle whistles - one milk bottle clinks

milkie sings with the breeze, shift near done

church bell beckons about time calling

doctor looks from window, merely looking 

breasted hills reveal sweet mignonettes- 

life perfumed improves by the moment 

frantic logs sprit crazed movements, dad 

yawns, exodus sighs him to sleep - at last

Reviews

[M.E.Lyle]

Another masterpiece. I almost felt you were living this, but I suspect it was more of you observing the world about you. Most of us have seen these pictures before, perhaps even lived them. I'm not sure what my feelings are just now, but it's more dark than bright.
Thank you for stirring the pot.

[emmajoygreen]

I'm sorry the darkness hit your thoughts, sir.. but then life as it is is like that.. humdrum or usual, reality or whatever. Perhaps stirring the pot makes one think of the positive things, however small, we experience or have. Perhaps. As ever many, many thanks for looking in, whatever you leave in your wake is grand. Take care. :)

[willweb]

So very cool how you wrote this, it had me following every step of this long and dreary day. I could feel the weary man dragging himself home after a day, or half day on the job, just longing some peace and quiet, some sleep and then he hears it, the door closing as the family heads off to church...finally, the end of the day has arrived. Loved this my friend.

[emmajoygreen]

Many thank yous for following this post start to finish and for 'loving' it come the end. Guess i was presenting life in 'teeny chunks' - brief scenes rather than melodrama! Enjoy the day ...

[Ken e Bujold]

very impressive ode emma. reminiscence of hardy.

[emmajoygreen]

I rarely say 'wow' but reading the word 'hardy'
longside one of my posts is.. special. Many thanks, Ken.. Emma :))

[Ken e Bujold]

well it was warranted. your little gem, much like TH, captures the quiet understated way of village life, the daily struggles balanced against the resolve to simply do what needs to be done. Reading your poem all this came to mind. And no need for the "wow" my dear. Poets are poets, some blaze bright in the heavens but all are made of the same material, a need to find ways to express the world around them. Hardy or Emmajoy, a work of honest expression reaches out and touches me equally well. (but shh, TH might be listening, and we wouldnt want to rumple his feathers. leave that to Yeats and Heaney LOL)

[emmajoygreen]

You know I live in Hardy country?

[Ken e Bujold]

hadn't thought of that. so he's likely to agree with me then. Dorchester to Dorchester. Besides I am in a poetic giving mood at the moment :) as i wrestle with a new piece that's a big tip of hat to my absolute fav from across the pond. maybe you heard of him as he had a wee bit of success ... a fellow named Seamus :))))

[emmajoygreen]

Heaney? Vaguely heard of him.. and more!

[Ken e Bujold]

for myself, the top 5 poets of the last 50 yrs are: Heaney, Ashbery, Muldoon, Layton, and TOM WAITS. every list is subjective of course, but for me, these five are always my touchstones

[emmajoygreen]

Takes a poet to know the best.. for me, probably Heaney

[Pash]

I enjoyed the motion of this poem. So much expresion and color painted through every stanza. The beats, the flow. It is crafted beautifully. I'm a fan!

[emmajoygreen]

Welcome, fan! Plus, many thanks for such generous words, truly delighted you liked the poem. Take care, keep safe..Will be calling once I've had some sleep, Pash.

[Ken Simm.]

This is perfect. Just that. Needs no explaination it is just an amazing yet simple piece of art.

[emmajoygreen]

Many many thank yous, Ken, how very prompt! I tried to keep this poem uncluttered, tried not to use my usual erratic phrasing.From what you have kindly 'said'. it just might have worked. :)