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Know How

Thankless job, I think watching
as Thurman tries to teach the young man

The lad sitting up
on the tractor
like a proud young pup
is full of piss and vinegar
half the time not listening
and half the time telling Thurman
how much he already knows...

As Thurman patiently slumps
his still-sturdy but ungainly frame
against the tractor
fingers strumming his red suspenders
a good-natured grin
slowly spreading
across his grizzled face
gleaming behind think glasses
I see a glint of soft amusement
at this grandiose greenhorn

Thurman has lived through
the Great Depression, and then
the horror of hand-combat
in World War II
one of three from his unit
to make it through-
so there is nothing this little ingrate
can possibly do or say
to break Thurman's composure today
he remains uncommonly calm
and utterly unflappable
a small chuckle slipping out
every now and then

And while the young man boasts
and blusters on about
his plans for next week
Thurman is mostly quiet, until
at length, asked about his plans
“Lord willing-
and the creek don't rise...”
he begins, knowing how
much could change by then

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Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 11/10/2018 6:22:00 PM

Hello Rhona, thank you for crea\ting this poem. I enjoyed this poem of the little boy and Thurman. Have a nice evening my friend.

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 11/10/2018 6:42:00 PM

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it- and hope you have a nice evening, too! ;)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/12/2018 7:38:00 PM

You know how to do a great character study. I enjoyed this glimpse of a wise old man and the young'un so annoying!!

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 10/12/2018 8:32:00 PM

Thank you, Andrea! I've just started doing these "character studies" and am really having a blast with it! ;)

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 10/12/2018 3:53:00 PM

So much to love about this - 'the grandiose greenhorn' and 'he remains uncommonly calm', the last two lines simple perfection - also making this a Fav!

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 10/12/2018 8:31:00 PM

Thank you- I am flattered you enjoyed it so much! ;)

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 10/11/2018 5:50:00 AM

A Fav for me! This is such a wonderful sketch of humanness; a deep think, and profoundly on target! I can see Thurman, but cannot fathom the thoughts that are going through his head. It is true, the more a person goes through sometimes, the more empathy and kindness they extend toward others. I see a lot of people who are way too intelligent to get flustered over the "little things." Well done my friend. This is terrific! I love it!

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 10/11/2018 12:26:00 PM

Thank you so much! ;) I am glad that I was able to convey that in this piece... this was partially based on my grandfather- who considered everything pretty minor after all he'd been through in his early years. He had a sense of gratitude for life itself that just overflowed and encompassed his whole outlook and demeanor...