Nette Onclaud Poet Free verse

Ancestral Farmstead

I returned to our farmstead last autumn
on the driveway where I kicked marbles
and plucked brambles catching my gaze- 
Now overgrown at sixty-two
horse wagons filled the blank spaces
of my remembered landscape...
I walked like a ghost looking for dear home,
but found this lofty edifice
ridiculing, mocking me from its skylight--

The dogwood trees Grandma nurtured
now impetuously ravaged and gnarled,
casting shadows on translucent mirrors--
past her dream of a lush orchard,
that my eyes lingered through a heap
for treasures, hoping to discover
a piece of yesterday's laughter,
among the junk of ancestral, broken wood.


-------------
Emile Pinet's Contest: New Poems Only
4/16/2018

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Susan Gentry April 18, 2018 at 7:19 PM Congratulations on your win with this hopeful and sad poem! Well done. I like the last line... it got me.

Sandra Haight April 16, 2018 at 4:47 PM Wonderful imagery of your past memories, Nette. I enjoyed reading your poem, and congratulations on your fine placement on this short list of winners. Hugs, Sandra

John Lawless April 16, 2018 at 4:22 PM OH, Nette, that last line...."among the junk of ancestral, broken wood." What a vivid description of the angst of fading memories.

Line Gauthier April 16, 2018 at 1:58 PM Back with congrats, nette. Superbly done.

Connie Marcum Wong April 16, 2018 at 12:52 PM Wow Nette, this is exceptional! Made a lump in my throat when reading it! Congratulations on your wonderful win!

Anna Greene April 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM I can almost picture the place ! Very evocative Congratulations!

Eve Roper April 16, 2018 at 11:22 AM Beautiful like always, Nette, congratulations on your win!!!!! Hugs Eve

Emile Pinet April 16, 2018 at 10:51 AM Congratulations Nette! Your amazing poem has placed in my PoetrySoup contest. Very well done my friend, Emile.

Ravi Sathasivam April 16, 2018 at 3:05 AM Excellent. Lovely imagery write. Enjoyed reading it. All the best for the contest.

Anne-Lise Andresen April 16, 2018 at 3:02 AM A beautiful poem with memories, Nette - Luck in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Line Gauthier April 15, 2018 at 6:15 PM What lovely imagery, nette. Love these lines "my eyes lingered through a heap for treasures, hoping to discover a piece of yesterday's laughter,"

Frederic Parker April 15, 2018 at 5:56 PM I think I would have found a seat and just let my memory wander...good luck

Lyva Marty April 15, 2018 at 5:43 PM Even in the suburbs, tall buildings sprout like mushrooms. May our heritage be respected by commercialism. An excellent poem which moved me.

Vijay Pandit April 15, 2018 at 4:42 PM I walked in your journey through your memory lane..sad to see the decay..but there once was a pleasant sound..expertly depicted..best for a win, nette.