Field of Stone
I crossed the hills and valleys
And prairies all alone
I forded mountain streams
And found a field of stone
I toiled until my hands bled
And blood mixed in the ground
Baptized in my sweat and blood
Happiness was found
I built a home from all the rocks
And raised a family there
I plowed the fields and grew the crops
In soil so loose and spare
'I watched my children move away
To greener fields and goals
We stayed on; just my wife and I
at the hearthfire of our souls
Together we shared the burdens
Each doing their fair share
And when the good Lord called her
I buried her body there
Now my broken heart surrenders
And I stand alone to pray
The land I loved now seems so cold
Since she has gone away
I thought as I grew older
I'd never be alone
But little did I realize
Life is filled with stones
Comments
but stone hides diamonds?
beautiful write rett - i flowed along with it and felt the emotions of life through it...
however
'I watched my children move away
To greener fields and fair
We stayed on; just my wife and I
Our souls were rooted there'
just seems a little contrived with the rhyme....
a suggestion:
'I watched my children move away
To greener fields and goals
We stayed on; just my wife and I
at the hearthfire of our souls' (or homeplace.... or some such thing?.)
just me -
love
judy
xxxxx
Thanks Judy
I really like that suggestion. I appreciate it immensely!
I like that also Chrys.
Thank you kindly ma'am. *G*
Hey Rett
This one still rings clear and clarion, my friend. Wow, it feels like an age since that night in chat.
Jim
It sure does Jim
I'll be glad when the new chat is up and running. I think it is going to be really nice.
Thanks for the nice comment!
Thank you xena
I appreciate it very much.
Texas Ranger
This was a heartfelt piece I felt upon reading and you did a great job of it. The image is vivid, the flow is great and the meter is right on spot!! Upon reviewing this one I only had one trip up on this line:
at the hearthfire of our souls
How about (in the hearthfire of our souls)
You let me know how you think of that and if not it is fine the way it is. Alot of feeling in this write Rett.
Cheers, Mona
I agree with Rosina about that.
Her suggestion I find is what I felt myself.
Otherwise Rett
this is very good and very sad,
very stoney and very clad
in sorrows for tomorrows
and loneliness to come,
when you're a jolly fellow,
full of life and full of fun,
so go and get to meet some others,
join their happy throng,
learn to sing their song,
and then perchance you'll find another one
whose life is like with yours
and who might share with you those trying chores.
I enjoyed this one Rett and send my love to you,
from Ann.
the hearthfire
refers to a place - the home rett refers to building in the previous verses
but it's not just the house, it's the land, so 'at' seems more appropriate to me
still, it's your expression rett.....
love judy
xxxx
You nailed it judyanne
Exactly, not just the home, the land, the memories, the love all wrapped up there. At is the correct usage.
Thank you Amalzamani
I was in a weird mood one night and started thinking about. What if a person had done such and such, how would it play out. This poem was the result.
My condolences, dearest Rhett
My condolences, dearest Rhett*. This poem has a lyric quality, just aching to be set to music.
~A
* ;-)
Thanks Kailashana
I love putting a story to poem. What would happen if a person did this and that. How would it play out. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
stone
This is probably my favorite write of yours, hence I am compelled to offer ideas to improve its rhyme to help make it the masterpiece it truly is ( or ruin it according to perspective lol ) Here goes :
l-3 needs another word, maybe....swollen mountain streams ?
l-12 delete " so "
l-15 try : but my wife and I, we stay
l-17 try : we shared burdens together
l-21 try ; now my broken heart feels old
l-25 and 26 :I thought as I grew old and wize
I'd never be alone
All are ideas to help maintain rhyme or flow which you are free to use if you see fit. Also free to tell me to take a hike...........scribbler
Excellent suggestions Scribbler
I appreciate it a bunch!
Hello Rett
Excellent flow - both in thought and in rhyme, and so true. Make the most of life while we have it eh!
Enjoyed reading this one, thanks for sharing.
Love Mand xxxxx
Thank you mand
Yes, we have to make the most of life. I appreciate the kind words.