On Fertile Ground

On Fertile Ground  
(A Settler’s Song of Thanks)

We settled here on fertile ground.
Trees filled the orchards all around,
and fields of crops would soon appear.
On fertile ground we settled here.

We bought some land – my love and I.
Amazed were we by spacious sky
from which rains fell; our crops were grand!
My love and I – we bought some land.

Fruits plump and sweet; gold-ripened corn;
our harvest truly was a horn
of plenty, with so much to eat:
gold-ripened corn; fruits plump and sweet.

With thanks much owed, we praised the Lord,
and I was proud of my adored
who by my side reaped what we sowed.
We praised the Lord with thanks much owed.

On fertile ground, long-settled here
with healthy children, it is clear
to this dear land we’re ever bound -
long-settled here on fertile ground.

Aug. 12, 2021 (this is a form called swap-quatrain)
For A Brian Strand Your Choice Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Johnson Avatar
August 25, 2021 at 8:25 AM
Congrats, Andrea. Very interesting and well written. Blessings.
Kibble Avatar
August 25, 2021 at 3:21 AM
I like swap quatrains and this is a very good one. Congrats on both wins.
Alex Avatar
August 20, 2021 at 8:08 AM
As usual a very beautiful composition. Wonderful Work.
Ibeh Avatar
August 20, 2021 at 6:59 AM
Such an amazing poem, Andrea:-) Loved it! Congratulations on your win in my contest!
Krutsinger Avatar
August 16, 2021 at 8:48 AM
This is so "Iowan" of you! "Fruits plump and sweet; gold-ripened corn; our harvest truly was a horn of plenty, with so much to eat: gold-ripened corn; fruits plump and sweet."
Rodrigues Avatar
August 16, 2021 at 6:27 AM
I love this especially verse 3 - its imagery! Have a blessed day :)
Brul Avatar
August 14, 2021 at 8:31 AM
Splendid poem!! It resonates with me...looking back to my childhood days....You make me nostalgic dear Andrea!!This will surely score high! All d best.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 3:18 PM
As always, you tell a story so we’ll. Hugs Rick.
Bayles Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 8:27 AM
Andrea, I really like this poem. Your rhythm and rhyme are spot on. I like the last line, "long-settled here of fertile ground.
Skelly Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 6:44 AM
This is so good Andrea, a lovely rhythm draws the reader in. A pleasure to read..Delice
Pandit Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 5:25 AM
Enjoyed your write, Andrea. Expertly executed with heartfelt images of your beloved land.
Rose  Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 3:48 AM
wow you did this brilliantly. I love the rhythm and the cascade of lovely words. You are very talented, I enjoy your poems each time. :)
Kannan Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 2:46 AM
Lovely write, Andrea... I have never heard of the form swap quatrain... Thanks for sharing... This is a winner for sure...
Daniel Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 2:02 AM
Beautiful poem on the chosen title, Andrea, love this form and how you excel in it :)
Horsman Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 1:23 AM
Love this Andrea, and the form. Also i'd like to think the poem goes much deeper, I read a message.
Dietrich Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 8:28 AM
yes, I also implied fertile life if that is what you were thinking!
Buhagiar Avatar
August 12, 2021 at 11:36 PM
Incredibly beautiful, so well constructed poem. I'm sure you'll get top place. You deserve it. Hugs.
Hankins Avatar
August 12, 2021 at 8:38 PM
Wow! This is so beautifully-written, Andrea. I love the swap-quatrain concept. I first saw it in one of Emile Pinet's poems. I must give it a try, but I could never measure up to this one! A FAVE for me.
Roper Avatar
August 12, 2021 at 8:05 PM
Such a beautiful verse, Andrea, the flow and imagery are fantastic. Good luck. Hugs Eve
Peranteau Avatar
August 12, 2021 at 7:50 PM
Now, i must indulge the other poets who have entered this contest...az many az i can until mine dome's lidz cover mine see...i think you got this dear poet...good luck girlie...much love, james
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
August 12, 2021 at 7:29 PM
I truly admire the swapping and the melodic tempo, Andrea. I just entered one in Brian's contest that I did a while ago, kinda mixed alliteration form as well, yet yours is much preferred, my friend, Aloha!
Poet Avatar
August 12, 2021 at 7:02 PM
Very well-penned quatrain, Andrea, I enjoyed reading this poem, and I like this verse: from which rains fell; our crops were grand! My love and I – we bought some land. I wish you good luck with the contest.
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