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Notes About The Poem

Harvest Moon O're Withered Fields

Daniel Henry Rodgers

This is the 4th installment of my Halloween series, with one more to be released on Halloween. 

"In the morning twilight of a village mist, hope flickers like a jack-o'-lantern's grin, while shadows of decay lengthen across withered fields." Daniel Henry Rodgers

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Harvest Moon O're Withered Fields

...the village shivers   a hive of restless souls
skin pricklin' with anticipation
as costumed runners fixin' to gather — hearts a-thrummin'
                like trapped hummin' birds

the gun cracks — a thunderbolt
        shatterin' th' autumn calm

bodies surge forward,  a mighty flood of desperation
hopes misplaced,  yet unyieldin'

jack-o-lanterns leer from yonder doorsteps
        their hollow grins like flickerin' owls in the wind

Willow, once a saplin' in Tom's arthritic hands
now a gazelle with muscles coiled 'neath sun-kissed skin
her grandad's voice -- a steady compass
        urgin' her through the storm

Tom — roots planted in war-torn soil
        comrades' names etched in the lines of his face
time-worn joints creak like rusty hinges
each step a battle 'gainst the relentless tickin'
        his heartbeat once steady as war drums  now falters

Don limps —his plastered leg a cruel anchor
        dreams splintered like his tibia on black ice
the antiseptic's ghost permeates th' air
        sterile corridors
        perfidious prognoses

Jenna — wrapped in a year's bounty   her body ripplin'
        with the weight of wet  unfallen leaves
bitterness thickens on 'er tongue
her body — a prison of comfort food
        midnight binges an' unanswered hunger
her pulse races t'ward a frantic countdown

Jim and Christa — hands held tight
        bound by love, tethered by illness
her body — a war zone  his touch — a fleetin' balm
chemo's sour scent clings like death's perfume
their future — a handful of stol'n moments
        pensive prayers slippin' through fingers

the young couple drunk on youth's sweet wine
        blind to shadows lurkin' just beyond
their laughter lingerin' in the October chill
        oblivious to th' stopwatch siphonin' their joy

four hours:
the clock ticks — a heartless god
        each second — a heartbeat
                        a breath
                        a life inchin' closer to th' edge

empty shelves    vapors of scarcity
        bandages   pills    precious as gold dust

the road stretches — a ribbon of fate frayin'
        rough asphalt and dirt-laden trails bite at soles
air thick with decay
        windin' through fields of withered crops
                and unspoken fears

fall'n leaves crackle underfoot    a dissonance of decay
        th' air grows thick with rottin' apples
                an' smoke curlin' from distant fires

Willow flies — feet barely grazin' earth
Don grits 'is teeth, determination poolin' in 'is sweat
Jenna's lungs blaze, a wildfire in 'er chest
Jim and Christa — hands linked:
        fragile butterflies in autumn's cruel wind

the finish line looms
        a threshold
                to salvation or damnation

the clock's hands whirl

cheers erupt as the first cross th' line
        relief an' joy mingle like incense in th' air

but as the fourth-hour tolls
        a sound shatters th' sky

gunshots echo in th' distance
        a harvest of a different kind

Willow crumples    victory hollow
        her grandad's absence an ache in 'er chest
                his 'eartbeat forever silenced

Jim's triumph dissolves to ash
Christa's silence — the final quiescence — deafenin'

Don and Jenna — stranded behind
        their bodies    plumb worn an' unwillin'    betray them one last time

the village keens — a shared grief
        for more than fallen leaves

October's cruel harvest reaps deeper
        a rendered toll

survivors freeze    realization dawnin'
        like a blood-red sun

this race was never just about time
        or fleetin' glory

in th' distance,
        gunshots punctuate
                th' autumn air

a   s t   a    c c  a   t  o   rhythm of finality
        of lives extinguished

Halloween mask slips   revealin'
        the raw face of terror

carrion-hungry vultures
        circlin' above
                waitin'... voracious for the weakest

final   heartbeats   fade...   like distant drums
        as decay’n guttural gunshots grate across 
                th' withered fields...

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Valsa George Date: 11/1/2024 9:36:00 PM Dear Daniel, I just bow down in humility before you the great bard. You took my breath away! Each day I feel happier to see greater exhibition of talents in this remarkable poetry website. Though can never dream of writing like this, I have the fortune of reading such remarkable poetry. Each line and each character sinks deep into mind. The image of two pairs- "Jim and Christa — hands held tight bound by love, tethered by illness her body — a war zone his touch — a fleetin' balm chemo's sour scent clings like death's perfume their future — a handful of stol'n moments" . Then the young couple "drunk on youth's sweet wine blind to shadows lurkin' just beyond their laughter lingerin' in the October chill oblivious to th' stopwatch siphonin' their joy" Striking images. No one can read this without feeling choked in the throat. Altogether a soul shattering Halloween macabre scene Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 11/4/2024 7:27:00 AM Dear Valsa, You always have outstanding comments and insights, and I will always be appreciative of your visits. It took a little while to create the various characters and the reasons why they succeeded and the reasons why they failed. Those failures brought dire consequences that were truly life-threatening at times. Thank you, and I am so grateful for your visit. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Kim Rodrigues Date: 11/1/2024 8:15:00 AM Such prowess! Quote is great. Scary first verse then the second makes us sit up and take notice. their hollow grins like flickerin' owls in the wind… their bodies plumb worn an' unwillin' betray them one last time… Interesting, the characters and their various ailments. Right now I’m in an aircast for a strained calf and my other knee hurts on the stairs…oh the angst…lol. With God we get through this life xx Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 11/4/2024 7:23:00 AM Dear Kim, Thank you and I hope your leg heals quickly. I wanted this poem to be about real people dealing with real issues that keep them from reaching the goals that have life consequences. Halloween allowed me to make it more terrifying consequences for those who never reach the goal. Get Well Soon! Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 10/31/2024 7:55:00 AM I feel the verse that Jim and Christa 'the young couple drunk on love's sweet wine.............. oblivious to th' stopwatch siphonin' their joy' is an important verse as it explains and heralds the monstrous chaos that ensues. Jack-'o-lantern's grin resembling the flickering of hope ' in the morning twilight of a village mist' is synonymous with evil. Halloween, what an incredulously wicked night for evil to give fright. Fabulous write, Blessings, Jennifer Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 11/1/2024 5:38:00 AM Dear Jennifer, Wow, you did feel the words and scenes from my poem. That gives us poets the greatest joy when someone deciphers all that is going on. Thank you for all your support and excellent comments. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Ink Empress Date: 10/31/2024 4:21:00 AM Dear Daniel, I read this twice and every time i read it i am impressed by your careful and creative choice of words~ woven here in such eloquence.. its so very dark spine tingling and soulfully moving how you’ve written one that is deep and touching too. While also ensuring that the halloween vibe stays intact! I especially love the lines “ her body — a war zone his touch — a fleetin' balm chemo's sour scent clings like death's perfume their future — a handful of stol'n moment pensiv” made me feel so much and in such a strong manner youv delivered every line! So powerful! A fave this is as i love halloween, and I couldn’t dress up this year but reading this made me feel it and felt the mood strongly! Your use of alliterations and so many poetic techniques makes this a sumptuous one worthy of all the accolades! Sending you light today and always Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 11/1/2024 5:36:00 AM Dear Empress, It is sad that Halloween has passed, but I enjoyed writing the five poems for this season. It allowed me to pull out some of my darker creative spots. I always love reading your insights into my poems, and it gives me a sense that someone truly understands what the words and thoughts convey. This year, I dressed up as a character from Harry Potter. I was from the house of Ravenclaw, but no particular person. Now it will be a whole year before we return to celebrate this day. Nonetheless, I look forward to Thanksgiving, December Holidays, and New Year's. Empress, thank you for being a wonderful reader of my work. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Victor Buhagiar Date: 10/31/2024 3:17:00 AM Alliteration, metaphors and imagery are all constructed to show a tragedy in this world. Now we have to contend with N. Korea. Evil, too much evil. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 11/1/2024 5:28:00 AM Dear Victor, I agree that there is too much evil in the world, and they are making choices that affect us all. It is always a pleasure to read your comments. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Andrea Dietrich Date: 10/30/2024 7:50:00 PM Wow so many lovely DARK images. What an October harvest!! Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 11/1/2024 5:29:00 AM Dear Andrea, It sounds like you have the overall message; I am grateful for that. Sometimes, I wonder if I am getting too deep. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

David Crandall Date: 10/30/2024 11:25:00 AM Fascinating, deep and dense. Great lines, " comrades' names etched in the lines of his face". I'm not sure I understand it, but it sounds like the grim reaper is making his rounds. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 11/1/2024 5:27:00 AM Hello David, LOL! Thank you for your comments and insights into my poem. My son-in-law read it and had many questions that allowed me to get behind the scenes. I told him many clues were taking place, and you realized that food and medical supplies were scarce. Because of that, the village government decided the best way to eliminate the weak was to have a grueling race with a completion time. Those who didn't make the time were eliminated and harvested. I will leave it there. Thanks again for visiting. Autumn Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Victor Buhagiar Date: 10/29/2024 9:18:00 AM In Malta, we don't care much for Halloween. Your poem is great, though, and it is full of scary festivities. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 11/1/2024 5:21:00 AM Dear Victor, Malta is one of the places I would love to visit when I retire next year. Thank you for coming by and leaving your comments. I feel many of the inspirations for these poems come from the Books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation. Knowing their words are real and mine are just fictional makes their stories even more intense and horrifying. Thank you, and it is always a pleasure to read your comments. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Maria Williams Date: 10/29/2024 4:18:00 AM You have outdone yourself Dear Daniel on this haunting Halloween macabre poem. Runners seem to carry their injury, illness and age in a dark suspenseful trip ‘peppered’ with leering Jack-o-lanterns and decays becoming and elegy or a dirge for lost lives and raw terror , is it war? ? I can almost sense the rotting odour, the cacophony of a celebration turning to horror. I think we have to crown you the King of Macabre. Hugs Maria Ps send me the address of this village so I can keep well away Lol Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 10/29/2024 4:42:00 AM Dear Maria, LOL!! When I wrote this poem, I thought that it had to have enough clues to give hints to what is actually going on but also leave enough space to allow the reader to build their own thoughts and conclusions. Thank you, as always, for your wonderful insights and thoughts. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Joe Dimino Date: 10/29/2024 3:28:00 AM "Halloween mask slips revealin' the raw face of terror" -- Yep, indeed. The terror without a reflection of the terror within. We are, by nature, a trauma of masks and conflicted postures. Lots to think about in your fine poem. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 10/29/2024 4:39:00 AM Hello Joe, Thank you for your insights into my poem. There was a Twilight Zone where an old man was dying, and he required all his relatives to wear a mask that he had chosen for them until he died. When they removed the masks, their face retained the same image as the mask. This story integrated a little of that thought into the lines. Thanks for reading and leaving your comments. Autumn Blessings, MY Friend, Daniel

Beryl Edmonds Date: 10/28/2024 5:54:00 PM A very scary story for Halloween Daniel, one can feel the fear of those running for their lives before becoming victims of terror. Another interesting horrific read… Enjoyed dear friend, Beryl Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 10/29/2024 4:36:00 AM Dear Beryl, Thank you for your visit and your motivating comments. It is a fascinating time of year for me to write some stories that might not be written at other times of the year. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Hilda Greenhough Date: 10/28/2024 4:14:00 PM This is a scary story. Was Willow chosen, or doomed from the start. Definitely this story has the chill of autumn. It is a very appropriate, albeit horrifying, Halloween tale. Thank you for your great story telling talent, Daniel. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 10/29/2024 4:34:00 AM Dear Hilda, Willow was young and vibrant and could easily trek the course in the allotted time, whereas her grandfather could not. It is sort of a juxtaposition between youth and age and Willow's helplessness in being unable to help her grandfather. Thank you for your wonderful comments! Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Sara Kendrick Date: 10/28/2024 2:05:00 PM Interesting lines penned. I think you captured so much of the scary part of Halloween like the movies that play this time of year. Thanks for sharing..Sara K Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 10/29/2024 4:30:00 AM Dear Sara, It is quite interesting to see all the influences we, as poets, integrate into our writings, including other poems, books, and scary movies. Perhaps it is a safe fear and not a real world. Our awesome God is our joy and salvation; He left us his word with some really scary realities written in it. Thank you for your ongoing support of my writings, and I appreciate your thoughts. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Paula Goldsmith Date: 10/28/2024 11:28:00 AM WOW!!! Part 4 with another wonderful write/story/picture. Your pen will need a vacation after the 5 part. It sure has been working overtime. Hahaha!!! Have a wonderful Autumn day writing away................ Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 10/29/2024 4:25:00 AM Dear Paula, These 5 poems were written over a 6 week period before Halloween. Even before posting, I found myself editing and clarifying, which is part of the great joy of writing. Thank you for reading and commenting. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Lin Lane Date: 10/28/2024 11:19:00 AM If I was a Trick-or-Treater, there's no way I'd go out after reading this, Daniel. I looked at the picture before reading, read your introduction and then stared at the picture for some time trying to imagine the people you mentioned among the runners. I'm left wondering, were they running in hopes of winning a prize? Perhaps life. Were they running from those with guns. A harvest of people. A fine job you've done at mastering the art of leaving your poetry open to interpretation. Excellently written. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 10/29/2024 4:23:00 AM Dear Lin, This one explicitly leaves the reader thinking about what happened. Hopefully, many clues inside this poem lead to some conclusions and open-ended other areas for contemplation and thought. Thanks, Lin, for all your comments and support. I am always appreciative. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Sam Kauffman Date: 10/28/2024 11:15:00 AM Daniel, you have pulled off the mask of life's masquerade to reveal through relationships both its glory and its terror. Your poems always take me into a place of the mystical heartbeat and enigmas begging to be explored! Must be the musician in you who sees beyond the surface! This is quite marvelous - as always, dear friend. Thank you for sharing your artistry and talent - your ministry! Sending you blessings! Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 10/29/2024 4:19:00 AM Dear Sam, It is always a great joy to read your comments and I am very thankful. Thank you for all your support and have a wonderful week as the last days of October are upon us. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel