An Atomical Labour

tight thoughts toil,
as threads in head uncoil
ideas plaited, intent's tug
escort through dilate pupils.
umbrella lashes shady look
was all it took-
inception outspooked
at artful spirit's raid, 
inkling's snapline birth
twine in tensile mind, 
sprinkling notion's seeds.
Small things become divine.

                    II
dark temples tip
to face the earth.
small beads of sweat,
wet film on upper lip,
drops glisten-slide-
incessant glide off chin...
the downturned mouth
slack, sucks air in.
sultry air sticks to skin,
sky- cupped copppery sun
flings fistfulls of harsh-face
heat at human's hands,
bared back, red burnt ears.

                III
stung by midday's rays,
her feet squirm in sandals.
a little trickle trails
loosely down her spine, 
centres her in query.
how fits old age in time?
as languid mind wanders
to and fro, it wonders
how to weave and spin
a scritch-scratch sketch
without a page and pencil-
life is often paperthin.
but then, skull cocooons 
such arty sparks, wraps
mind's eye round
work-weighted back
and automatic way
arm muscles contract,
bunch, then relax...

            IV
automatic, he drops,
hunched on haunches-
old heavy breaths squat
dull haloes in hot air.
gnarled digits dig and grip
grass, rip roots up and out.
soil shakes free with flails'
repeated earth-bound smacks.
cordline marks his pathline.
straight stakes curve serpentine.
tidy, calm, dark grey
stepping stones lay flat
between fresh greenleaved
skinny trees. on uprright trunks
young growth clings to sinew stems.

               V
and then, again, automatic,
he slices soil with spade's
deep drive to dislodge
grassy clumps and clods.
forgiving ground gives in,
gives back fine sand
that puffs sporadic snorts
of dust that lands on lips,
bonds to solid jaw, nasal hairs.
he licks clean his teeth,
and spits away wet mash

                VI
man, age old mortar-
vassel to death's pestle-
caves in, staved in,
back-broken tired...
mechanicsfoul notions
wired with snarled emotions-
pathways all ways snaking,
turn twisted and burning
beneath the searing scowl
of a sizzling sun.

                 VII
now mindful, she senses
unearthed details divine.
books them in back of mind.
reserved interest detains
others' losses, pains, gains- 
fixated in a future time.


22/7/2018.
( This is a looooong poem- thank you very much for reading!)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Pinet Avatar
August 3, 2018 at 6:49 PM
You see beyond what others could not or would not and for that you are gifted. The surface of reality is scratched and we are left with an itch to ponder. Emile.
Marine Avatar
August 9, 2018 at 1:05 AM
So sorry it took time to reply to your lovely comment, Emile- I appreciate your encouragement, and enthusiasm for this poem...I think of artists like Van Gogh, whose art depicted the lives of " common folk," and left a deep impression on me...I am grateful for the insight of those who depict what they have seen and experienced. Thank you again...((( Hugs)))
Horsman Avatar
July 22, 2018 at 3:40 PM
Wow, Amazing poetry, on her trials and tribulation. Love your looooooooooong poem.. actual read it twice.
Marine Avatar
July 23, 2018 at 3:12 PM
Thank you! And thank you again, harry h! I am so pleased that you enjoyed this poem and appreciate the encouragement.
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