Terrell Martin Poet Quatrain

Hallowed Ground

I remember well the small farm scene 
Where a man driving a tractor through the wide open 
Field was doing all he could, hoping 
The clouds might bring rain. 

Tomorrow would be none too soon 
And afterwards, he said, “We could laugh and dance
As if this was the last chance
To plant seeds and make romance under a bright, full moon.” 

I watched him get down off that big machine 
And sift through the ground like
He were looking for gold despite 
The fact he was searching for something more like a dream.

Deeper down into the ground I watched him scratch with hands and spade 
Feverishly as the sun set slow
Turning himself to a golden glow
Until I watched him rise up and say: “This ground is hallowed here today.”

Then abruptly he turned back towards home 
With a smile from eyes to ears 
(And later I would hear)
This was a land of love and tears where Indians once lived and roamed.  

I still remember well the small farm scene 
Where a man driving a tractor through the wide open 
Field was doing all he could, hoping 
He might find something besides the rain.

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Ephraim Crud April 10, 2013 at 5:54 AM an old farmer once said to me: i love the rain. i love digging the soil for other peoples problems, gluttony, starvation. i can't afford sickness; i've furrows enough worrying sheep till the rains come. then everyone benefits my digging the dirt. very well considered and penned, Terry. regards, eph.

Delysia Hendricks April 3, 2013 at 11:14 AM You're a master storyteller, my friend. I enjoyed this one top to bottom. Good piece of writing. Licia :) Terrell Martin April 3, 2013 at 1:39 PM Thanks Delysia:) To be honest, I wasn't sure where the poem was headed when I started out. All I had was the first line and the desire to write this type of a quatrain which I'd never attempted before. The story seemed to unfold and reveal itself as I worked through it. I'm glad it worked out but not completely to my liking. I can do better and will of course, keep on trying!

Anne-Lise Andresen April 3, 2013 at 11:03 AM - A nice "story" in your poem Terrell - We can find a lot of history in the soil .... far, far back in time. - Have a nice day. - oxox / / Anne-Lise :) Terrell Martin April 3, 2013 at 1:41 PM Thank you for reading and responding Anne Lise. As I mentioned to Delysia above, it's not completely to my liking but I like the form and hope to do more of this quatrain in the future. Thanks again. Terry

Marvin D. Schrebe April 2, 2013 at 3:14 PM This is a very nicely written poem. You followed the form well. You told a very beautiful story. You kept my attention, which is hard to do. great write. keep writing! Terrell Martin April 3, 2013 at 1:43 PM You were the first to read and respond to this poem Marvin and it sincerely means a lot to me that you did so. I owe you a visit and will most certainly return the reading favor in the very near future. Thank you again dear friend, Terry