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About This Poem

Father and Son


…They stand at the gate to the high field
Father and Son… Man and Boy.
A lifetime of weathered lines showing great mileage
and hands as tough as leather.
A gentle face full of wonderment and hope,
Unworn by the sun.
They both stare across lands that one has toiled,
All his life… and one never will…
The grass moves, birds are startled, then one by one
Drop to earth, lifeless… the scent picked up by gun dogs.
They never wanted a ‘shoot’ on their land…stubbornness, 
Maybe short-sightedness to move with the times. Un-willing.
Drought had also taken it’s toll, cruel times, back breaking
Toiling in blistering heat, while top soil blows away. 
The sons of the fathers became ‘ Graduates’ …Judas with a degree.
Payments could not be honoured. Banks have no sympathy, 
Like locust they devour the best, sucking the veins dry!
…They stand at the gate to the high field, and watch the new 
Owner a ‘city boy’ kill the last bird… The last life has gone!

© 10/2/2013

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  1. Date: 2/19/2013 8:13:00 AM

    David, you have done a superb job with this one. I was completely drawn in by your descriptions of the father and son. By the end of the poem, I could feel their sorrow.

  1. Date: 2/18/2013 10:54:00 PM

    Great images, moving. I'm a father myself. Although it was not expressed explicitly how the son loves, respects, feels sorry for the father, it was all there - for me. Perhaps that's how I want my son to see me as well...

  1. Date: 2/18/2013 11:33:00 AM

    WOW! This is sad, but it happens all the time, because of greedy people. Thanks for sharing. Lucilla

  1. Date: 2/17/2013 6:03:00 PM

    Wow David...this brought tears...reminds me of the..OK dust bowl days some of my family went through.... wonderful feelings here....wow....

  1. Date: 2/16/2013 9:07:00 AM

    This speaks volume and teach a lesson. I could see the images clearly threat you've painted ink! Wow!

  1. Date: 2/15/2013 2:22:00 PM

    An exceptional write David. This speaks for many souls that worked the land long and hard only to loose it at the end. Warm Smiles, Connie

  1. Date: 2/15/2013 1:41:00 PM

    Again, nicely done. I especially like the "...Judas with a degree." line. J

  1. Date: 2/15/2013 11:17:00 AM

    Such sadness touches me at their plight... wonderfully written... but sad....

  1. Date: 2/15/2013 9:33:00 AM

    Nice depiction of base of relations. It's acute, my friend. Loved always, bl

  1. Date: 2/15/2013 8:45:00 AM

    Very expressive and emotive work that you have penned in this one..Enjoyed reading this morn..Thanks for stopping by..Your review was uplifting..Sara

  1. Date: 2/15/2013 3:46:00 AM

    deep piece...it has taken me far..awesome work..thanks Dave :-)

  1. Date: 2/14/2013 8:22:00 AM

    Sad and true story told here in a powerful way.

  1. Date: 2/14/2013 6:48:00 AM

    An excellent poem here David!Love this.

  1. Date: 2/13/2013 5:18:00 AM

    This is an excellent and a very powerful write. Well done David!

  1. Date: 2/12/2013 10:13:00 PM

    David, the poem is amazing... is this your memory.. glad I stopped by to say goodnight.. thanks for the touching moment...TEX

  1. Date: 2/12/2013 7:15:00 PM

    Powerfully sad write so many losing their homes. light & love

  1. Date: 2/12/2013 6:46:00 PM

    Real sad, David. You did a great job in telling it!

  1. Date: 2/12/2013 6:22:00 PM

    David, this is intruiging...and somehow close to home for me...I think it's awesome.

  1. Date: 2/12/2013 4:23:00 PM

    David- this is extremely well written and really quite engaging- a real pleasure to read. Well done my friend :)

  1. Date: 2/12/2013 12:59:00 PM

    Very poignant, David... I suppose a 'fate' many suffer, I suppose... Terry (and thanks for your kind words... coming from you, they mean a lot!)

  1. Date: 2/12/2013 12:00:00 PM

    Hi David great write my friend, had an aunt and uncle in leominster had five sons two daughters and none of them took over the farm it was sold sad really, by the way yes it was fiction, all the best Owen

  1. Date: 2/12/2013 11:16:00 AM

    Oh, David, such a sad story of destruction....written wonderfully. I think my fav line is, " …Judas with a degree." That says so much. I am enjoying my time with my son, need to get my esophagus looked at, it sounds so funny, but it sure does not FEEL funny. Hope all is well with you. Love and hugs, Catie :)

  1. Date: 2/11/2013 1:26:00 PM

    Hi, David. Regarding your contest, I have a question: If a line has 7 words (being the last word starting with consonant) in the next line, the first word must start with a vowel, right?

  1. Date: 2/11/2013 10:45:00 AM

    Gosh, that's such a great story. It really pulls you in...such emotion...Thanks for your comments! I'm writing a scarey dramatic mono..fun! xx Holly

  1. Date: 2/11/2013 7:25:00 AM

    By the end, I was standing with them.....very well written, thanks for sharing

  1. Date: 2/10/2013 11:49:00 PM

    wow, David, your poem is stunning. I just love when you write this way. i think these serious type poems are when you are in best form. another one of your best. (glad you liked my hotel poem)

  1. Date: 2/10/2013 9:52:00 PM

    Am happy to read it, nice poem...Maturity and experience..I need to learn...Well city and country can be seen and the alarming smell of some tradition being killed..painful also...I enjoyed...and grew out of it...

  1. Date: 2/10/2013 4:52:00 PM

    This is a terrific and superior write my friend! I loved reading this spectacular poem this evening! Quite the special piece, Great Work!!

  1. Date: 2/10/2013 4:11:00 PM

    wow this is wonderful David, is this based on truth?...Seren

  1. Date: 2/10/2013 3:53:00 PM

    Remarkably deep David. Wow! Wishing you a wonderful day. Hugs, Gail

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