Resilience.
Tell me a winter-clad tale
of ponds frost-coated and
sad bloated fish in death's
breathless grasp, of misty
twilight's snow-blind drift
over sheep-dotted hills to
farmhouse cowl, of wind's
sudden howling in rafters,
raising rattle and draught.
Tell me of frozen-backed
cattle in safety's cold stall
chewing the cud, of fields
thigh-high in white flakes
neatly piled around frigid
seedlings' stiffened green,
of hard-handed breeds at
sweat's laboured digging
in search of missed ewes,
of lambs' bleating hunger,
and calves losing mothers
in mass stumble for cover.
Tell me the story of never
say No when a going gets
tough, of folk whose hold
on tomorrow shines with
dis-entombed hope, when
after bad-weather-losses
shrugs of wide shoulders
in string-fastened jackets
tip hats and step forward,
raw fingered, yet willingly
ready despite the winter's
hard freeze to battle again.
Clad in strongest resilience
such men and their women.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: February 6th, 2019 04:10
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 76
- User favorite of this poem: Lorna.
Offline)
Comments10
You always manage to transport the reader - now where am I? lol 😜
Hope you are still at your desk with water and paint my friend and not out on some farm in the cold - - thanks a load for the kind comment.
A fine write Fay. 'When the going gets tough, the tough gets going'? as someone said.
Aww, I'm a snowflake. I saw a chihuahua without a coat, shivering, and on a bit milder day too. I nearly burst into tears.
I saw a medium sized dog last year too, shivering in the snow, while owner went into a shop.
Yes a good saying you mentioned in this caring comment dear Orchi - the going certainly does get tough for farm workers in winter.
You on that Number 7 bus M? Transport? Or in oblivion, with a blank comment added? lol.
without doubt, the cruelest of seasons captured and the struggles and endurance of those men and their women too.. frozen now in time and against a back cloth of white... these words feel a lot older than the newness of em... another sign of a skilled words mistress.... N
Your comments are always so up-building and supportive dear Neville - - - yes the description of farm work in winter is as old as the hills - lambs still need care and ewes still get lost in upland drifts.
Thank you very muchly dear Tepo for the encouraging comment - to raise the bar is a wonderful aim for each poet here on MPS. - - glad you read and enjoyed the tribute to those who despite winter cold still tend their flocks.
1 more comment
And it's never the super rich that go through anything like this....... instantly took me to the Great Depression - I met a few "poor' folks who had survived it - one with a family of 6. Trying to start the old truck in the cold mornings so he could go and stand waiting for work if he could find it. More power to you Dominic........ I remember your stories.
Your memories of those fighting for a living in the depression add to the feel of cold winters when fuel lacking and foodstuffs the same - we know none of that desperate hunger for work when children are crying for warmth and bread. A big thank you for sharing what this read brought up again in your caring mind Lorna.
i had to wrap myself up after reading
Yes I wanted the feel of cold snow to come through but Ooooh I do hope you were warm again in a short while dear Sir - -thank you so much for the visit, the read and the comment.
Oooh-arrr my deario, I can see the nostril breath of lowing cattle in the farmyard as farmers wife brings a welcome flask of soup to her man.
Whilst we're thinking of throwing back the duvet to a dark, frosty morning there's already been three hours frosted sweat 'pon yon herdsman's brow.
You paint such pictures for us.
Am chuckling here D.A. after your fun version of countryfolk-lingo brought on by the read - - the scene must have set going extra events with wives bringing out soup and dawn sweat of herdsmen - - ha ha - - a delightful review and thank you so much. Real pleased you got so much from reading the poem.
Thanks FAY : You paint a Beautiful Picture of what Cornwall is going through : Brian tell me you have had more than your share of the White Stuff already. Lovely POEM made me shiver & think of English Winters Past when I have been Snow Hiking in the Lake District as a student and seen the Hardness & Harshness of the Hill Shepherds lives ! I always work indoors (even in NZ) which is a blessing in the UK.The AQUATHERAPY POOL is always heated ! I wont mention that @ 9 am (THURS) its already 18C (64F) here and I am just leaving for work !
Love the PIC & POEM :
Love in the SPIRIT : ANGELA 🧡🧡🧡
Please check my POEM : Unlucky in Love ?
Hi Angela - it sounds great to have a warm therapy pool and 64 F too - - while winter is showing its claws up the line our end of Cornwall - that is the south west - has escaped all but a thin layer of snow which had melted by day's end - -- so glad though that the read brought back memories of snow hikes and shepherds who work through the harshest of weathers -- always pleased to have your caring comments. Blessings for the rest of your week. - - with hugs from Fay
Great tribute to all those who have to work in all weathers.
Sincere thanks Goldi - both for the visit and caring comment .
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