Patrick’s fascination with history drew him to Europe, to the Flanders region where echoes of the Great War linger. In the fields and paths, he traced the steps of soldiers, thoughts filled with his grandfather, a young ‘digger’ in those dark times.
In Julian’s old farmhouse, Patrick found solace. The creaky attic a temporary home, the fields a canvas for reflection. Helping farmers, he felt the land’s weight, history’s whispers beneath every step.
One day, walking through the fields, a truck loaded with potatoes jolted, a few tumbling free. Patrick, with reverence, picked them up, stuffing them in his jacket. Julian questioned, “Why keep those bruised potatoes?”
Patrick replied, “It feels wrong to waste them, especially here. This land has seen so much.” Julian nodded, the sentiment understood, if not fully grasped. They continued to the apple orchard, laughter and joy painting the afternoon.
At dinner, Patrick served the potatoes. Julian’s mother smiled, shaking her head at the boy’s sense of connection. “You have a wise soul,” she said, her voice gentle. Patrick knew, in those simple actions, he honored the past.
In the attic’s quiet, Patrick felt peace. His journey was more than history; it was understanding and respect. The land, scarred and nourished, held stories in every grain of soil, every bruise on a potato. Patrick paid tribute to those stories, finding his place in the vast tapestry of time.
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Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: November 13th, 2024 05:08
- Comment from author about the poem: My grandfather served as a young Lieutenant in the Pacific Theatre of WWII and I had the opportunity of living in the Flanders for a season. The potato incident was also factual and forms the core basis of this prose poem.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 16
- Users favorite of this poem: Cassie58, Cheeky Missy
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Comments5
A beautiful story Cryptic The reflects connection of people passed and lands nicely done
Glad to have found some audience for this Soren. Wasn’t sure how it would be received. Thanks friend 🙏🏻
So very well narrated. I love the sense of history in your lines and the respect shown to what has gone before. Kudos.
Cheers Cassie, thanks kindly 🙏🏻
Beautifully written, love that it embues history with a timeless message! The fact that this is based on a true account makes this even more rewarding to read! Thanks for the share!
The events actually transpired a couple of years after my granddad passed away from cancer.
Wow! A great story indeed in a wonderfully written prose poem!
Thanks Tristan 🙏🏻
I really like the symbolic link between the past and Patrick's way of honoring this through the simple potato, which drew its form and composition from the troubled earth, Rik.
And the heart of it is in the kernel but that’s a mixed image now. Thanks for pointing that out, that makes it all worth it. 🙏🏻
A delightful account of historical events & so close to home .. told terrifically well ..
Cousins, really…. They’re that close!
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