Patricia Cresswell Poet Free verse

Highway 69

highway 69

rock out crops
rounded smooth
coloured striations
undulate through stone
like stretch marks
on the ancient mothers belly
where she grew fecund 
giving birth to the world.

rock cuts 
break the surface
blown there by dynamite charges
like ragged scars 
revealing each pang of labour
laid down in rusted reds, pink, white, and grays

it is in these raw places
that her colours shine as newly made
unsoftened by ages of wear
ice ages grinding 
lichens have not crept
their pale green/gray cloth
to drape her nakedness

men have touched her flanks
with force, unloving,
to forge their path north
black asphalt, alien.
not enough to claim their presence 
atop each cut stand inukshuk
built to say "we were here".

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Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart September 29, 2017 at 6:44 AM I have marvelled such rock cut faces, tickled to read your wonderful rendering, love the Mother Earth angle, am similarly affectionate towards our shield. Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart September 29, 2017 at 1:42 PM I probably would. I fell in love with a wild 40 acres in Sharbot Lake (the dreams died with the breakup) and weep sometimes in a particular clearing in the woods I frequent, the sumac and exposed stone take me like a ripple in time and I'm there. Patricia Cresswell September 29, 2017 at 10:15 AM Yes Maureen this is the place where my writing began 28 or so years ago. It was meant for me to be here. I read once that there are places on the earth for each person where they can do their optimum creative work. This is mine. I think you would fall in love with this land.

John Fleming September 28, 2017 at 8:17 PM Thought I would take a quick peek at the "Soup" whilst I partake of my ham sandwiches. Clicked onto "New Poems All" and your name appeared right on cue! Great write, Patricia -- loved every word of it! :) john Patricia Cresswell September 28, 2017 at 9:14 PM John you would love it I know you would. I live on the edge of the Precambriam Shield some of the oldest rock (granit). When the planet formed this rock was formed and is still to be seen. Thank you so much for reading and commenting I just love the presence here.