Night Help

Gold cherry

By Rhiannonw

Mon, 15 Jan 2024
  • 2324 reads
29 comments
 

Slowly, silently, the lamplight falls
here and there as the farmer strolls
back from the barn where the soft beams lit
the struggles as ewe and man did their bit
to bring to birth and avoid the death
of the lamb now safely suckled and snuggled.
    So glad they weren’t out on the windy hill
    with buffeted lamp and wintry chill.
The storm has passed, just occasional flurries
and the light glints on puddles and two bright eyes
– mouse freezing, then quickly away it scurries.
    The weary farmer reaches his door
    puts out his lamp, no need any more –
    but the electric flood makes his tired eyes blink
    and gladly he shuts them in slumber to sink.

[IP: lamplight]

Certificate U
Poem
Nature
Nature
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

I really like this, Rhiannon. It's easy to forget that farmers are up and out in all weathers, at all times helping nature along. Your words are soft and powerful here, much like the lamplight.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jane. Much appreciated comment. I started out with 'Silver' by Walter de la Mere on my mind and its 'silver shoon' and that led on to thinking about such and incident. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks for the cherries. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Sounds like you grew up on a farm Rhiannon! must be wonderful hey- if they don't make you work to hard. They say you are born, "Thank God I'm a country boy!

See you! Tom

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

No, I did not grow up on a farm, Tom. Though we did holiday for many years in a cottage just up an unmade lane from a farm who owned it and we used to walk down to get milk, eggs etc. But I have in the past enjoyed watching 'Lambing live' broadcasts. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Wonderful, Rhiannon, will come back to read this over and over!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Oh, thank you, Di. I did enjoy the feel of it when completed. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by D G Moody on

Show not tell, and here in elegant verse we have a whole story I found this poem delightful. A good one Rhiannon.

Dougie Moody

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed. I did enjoy this coming together! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

This is such a detailed poem Rhiannon and I loved how you caught the rhythm and rhyme. It must be so rewarding for a farmer to see a successful birth and know that mum and baby are doing fine.

Working by lamp light gave it an olde worlde feeling. A great use of the I. P. I thought.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. Glad you got caught up in the little story! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

 "So glad they weren’t out on the windy hill
    with buffeted lamp and wintry chill."

A highly visual poem. I like the rhythm and rhyming aspects. It's a scene to be played out a lot soon with lambing season coming. I know farmers work around the clock in spring. Adroitly done, Rhiannon. Paul

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Paul. I certainly enjoyed the storyline developing! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

This gorgeous poem by Rhiannon is Pick of the Day! Please do share if you can

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for the Pick of the Day. i'm so glad this is being so enjoyed! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Big congratulations Rhiannon - I loved this and am very glad it has been given some golden cherries which it well deserves- there's something timeless and comforting about both the poem and the lamplight

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

thank you very much for telling me. I'm so glad you felt it so. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Exhausting but rewarding for the farmer and the sheep. The need of a lamp to see it through adds to the atmosphere without revealing which age it might have been in. Your poem describes the event extremely well.

Turlough

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for telling me your appreciation. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Kris on

5 Stars with a yes & kiss

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you!! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

They let him know there was an emergency we were in Pretoria it was my first trip to his farm, near Vryburg it's about 500km driving through the night. Battling outside in the dark just torches in the end after hours the calf was stillborn and the cow died also, it was exhausting business this.

There is a farm too belonging to my family it's in a trust. This one is really really beautiful I have some photos on my blog. For me the hardest part of a farm is you must get up so early. It borders on madness.

Glad at least your ewe and lamb made it! Tom

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

It must have been interesting experience though, and made you appreciate the dedication and satisfaction even after exhaustion. Is this Tom Brown on as Nolan as well or are you another Tom, a relation?

Is your blog on here?

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Will you stop fooling around it's not funny don't you have better things to do?

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I don't know if you are talking to me or Nolan, Tom. I just wondered if it was you, but realised that was silly. I'm sure no offence is meant. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

I think it was meant for me. Sorry Rhiannon, my second name is Thomas my mother always used to call me Tom. These people take themselves far too seriously honestly. I have a cousin also Nolan in Gonubie he's always after the women they should chain him to a tree or lock him up and throw away the key he's a menace.

Nolan &

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I'm sorry to provoke a bit of problem crossness. I suppose as you're 3 from South Africa I have always thought you were relations, but of course didn't realise you were a Tom too. I had never heard of Nolan as a name either, and had thought it might be a pen name. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

No problem, take it easy! We all enjoy your work, always sincere and refreshing, and your bold approach to Christianity.

Nolan &

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. Rhiannon