I will be attending the Austin International Poetry Festival later this week. In honor of that, I am posting the poems I plan to read at the festival.
Like his father
and his father before him
This way of life
coursed through his veins
Up before the morning sun
reflected off silos in the fields
Out the door before the kettle
cooled on the wood-fired stove
Moving with purpose
he paused briefly to caress
sleepy-eyed barn cats
Meowing their morning greeting
Pitchfork in calloused hands
he swung open a heavy gate
and set to work, his well-worn boots
sinking into the fresh dirt he labored to uncover
Like his father
and his father before him
he worked the fields until the evening sun
lost its battle with the relentless moon
Under a blanket of starry skies
that bathed his land in a soft glow
He rested on his porch, barn cats at his feet
A smile on his lips and satisfaction in his heart
Reflecting with intent
he paused briefly to give thanks
to a lot in life
that filled him with purpose
Folding dirt-stained hands
that would never quite come clean
He rocked slowly on that creaky porch
surveying his part in the rebirth that is Spring
Like his father
and his father before him
and like his son, folding his own dirt-stained hands
as he rocked beside him
Writing and Reflections 
loved this! the simple but meaningful life. in a time you have capsuled so well with your heartfelt words. much love is every line
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Thank you. I have no idea where this one came from. I have absolutely zero experience with farming. Lol.
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This is terrific writing!
I’m kind of sad, I live in Austin for 4 years, up until August 2017, and never went to the AIPF. I’ll have to check it out next year if I’m back in Texas!
I had a wonderful time reading various poems on your site and love your style.
Sincerely,
Brian
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You are very kind. Thank you so much.
Definitely check out AIPF. I had a blast. I was bummed I missed it this year but hope to get back next time.
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Congratulations on doing readings in Austin!! We live up the road about 40 miles in Georgetown and never heard about this. Thanks for the info!
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nostalagic and homely words that mark a life and attitude of simplicity…a life perhaps not open to a modernizing world of gadgets and haste and being away from the land.
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Thank you. Sometimes simple is better. 🙂
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