The Scarecrow's Sister
(a 55)
The scarecrow's sister
feels the breath of November
scans the valentine of Winter
sees her brother surrender
his Eden again to Martinmas weather,
mocked in a cornfield
crestfallen with crows.
Tho his overcoat's empty
as her sentimental replay
of Romeo reborn,
she knows Spring will raise him
high on his stick
alive in the corn.
September, 2022
posted for
and
earthweal's
Images: In The Fields, Evening © Jules Breton circa 1900 Public Domain
Pumpkinhead--Self Portrait © Jamie Wyeth, 1972 Fair Use
This is so awesome. I especially like the pumpkin head image. Smiles. Fall is here for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Sherry. Still summer here, but a girl can dream.
DeleteAh, another straw man who always seems like he's on the brink, but always comes back as propped up as ever. Maybe he only has to think it to make spring come around again, or maybe I should stop reading political news as I'm sure that's not what you meant with this intricately written 55. That's what sprung to my straw-filled mind, though. But back to the 55 part. It is difficult in any case to compose a good poem in just--and exactly--55 words, but to do it with rhyme and to switch up that rhyme from one stanza to the second, is like juggling objects of different weights. You haven't dropped a one, Joy, and this seems to me to be the perfect autumnal piece. My sympathies are entirely with the sister, who must stand and make it on her own with no prop. At least she has those clever corvids to help her out. Or so I read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the generous words, Shay--and thanks especially for the help in getting me to write.
DeleteThat is terrific. Beautiful. Taut, yet full of movement and longing and loss and redemption. The constraint of 55 brought the language to the forefront - "scarecrow's sister", "crestfallen with crows", "alive in the corn." I love the idea of the scarecrow's sister, as we all need an observer to the cycle of our lives, our surrenders, and our resurrections.
ReplyDeleteThanks qbit. I 'll be making the rounds tomorrow. I have been out of the poetry loop.
DeleteI love these opening lines:
ReplyDelete"The scarecrow's sister
feels the breath of November"
and I absolutely love the phrase "crestfallen with crows" - that is perfection! It is a haunting yet somehow comforting scene you describe, Joy.
I hope you are well :-)
Thank you so much, Sunra. I have been under the weather for awhile but am beginning to get back to normal. I miss reading you and will visit soon.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that, Joy. I did wonder how you were as I noticed you hadn't been online lately. I wish you a happy recovery. And thank you for dropping by my blog too <3
DeleteAlways my pleasure.
DeleteGreat to see you back with merry murderful tidings from the coming winter. We can only hope. And write, though both are astonishing products for the time ... Here's to sweeping cool and ink-stained pages.
ReplyDeleteThanks, B. I have really regretted missing so many earthweal prompts, and so much of your writing. Hopefully I am on an upswing.
Deletea cornfield
ReplyDeletecrestfallen with crows... love that especially in this timely verse!
Enjoyed this so much, Joy, the conceit of the scarecrow's sister through whose eyes we see him diminish only to rise, the religious overtones of suffering bearing a harvest, life renewed. Beautifully and concisely done. Hope you are well and sending good wishes your way.
ReplyDelete~Dora
Scarecrows have always spooked me, and this one is particularly creepy! Crestfallen with crows...love this.
ReplyDeleteAnother excellent poem, Joy, I particularly like
ReplyDelete"mocked in a cornfield
crestfallen with crows."
Has a Dylanesque quality to it.
"my weariness amazes me
I'm branded on my feet"
High praise, Jim. Thanks.
DeleteYou have made us see the seasons and the taking away and giving back in a whole new way Joy! This is absolutely a gorgeous 55!!
ReplyDeletehope you are feeling better, Joy. I miss Galen's friendly words, and am heartened by your deft turn here. and as the others, struck by the title / opening line - an entire world is opened by it, the ideas of family . marvelous ~
ReplyDeleteThank you, M. I'm much better--nothing serious, but as Betty White said, getting old is not for pussies. I hope your world is turning in the most comfortable direction, and you have a kickass weekend.
Delete