Dry Mouth Today

Cherry

By Richard L. Provencher

Wed, 11 Jan 2012
  • 3234 reads
16 comments
 

The cows are masks
of untapped energy

following single file
on bleached growth

saturated by the sun

shuffling along as a
ragtag remnant

of a once proud platoon

stretching tongues
towards a diminishing

slough over the next ridge

sun whipping
field dry and bumpy

passionate in their yearning
they stumble along

in pursuit of one precious
gulp of water.

© Richard L. Provencher

Certificate U
POETRY - A Passage of Motion 2
Miscellaneous

Comments

Submitted by lavadis on
I very much like the cows being masks. Good poem

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on
Lavadis--your comment and encouraging words are very much appreciated. Cows can fool you with their straight-laced features, but looking closely betrays their emotions. Richard LP
Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by fatboy74 on
Nice one richard.

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on
Thank you, F74 and a great New Year for you too! Richard LP
Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
You really gave me something to think about, with this poem Richard. It moved along nicely. Congratulations on the cherries, well deserved. Hope you have a very Happy and prosperous New Year. To you and yours. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on
Jenny, so many ask me, "What should I write about?" I ask them to close their eyes for at least ten seconds. Then open them and turn in a full circle taking in everything surrounding them. If they look hard, as I suggest, they can see the tree with a missing bough, a car with two exhaust pipes, a mother pushing three children in one buggy, and an older lady shuffling along with a large smile to share. Richard LP ps. J--thank you for your continued support.
Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by Rhiannonw on
Makes me appreciate my tap and kettle.evocative. Rh

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on
Hello Rh, thank you for your support. Yes, the cherries are nice, and this poem makes me thirsty as I re-read it. Will get a nice glass of water from my tap in a moment. Writing is fun at any age, eh? When I was very young, my wife and I agree 30 was quite far off. Now it is a trail of mist far behind. Richard LP
Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by Edenfalls on
Hi Richard, I liked this a lot. Simple and short but very descriptive and memorable. I had to read it a few times!

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on
Hi Edenfalls, short and sweet, eh? Thank you for your good wishes. I watched those cows with fascination, how they plodded back and forth seeking the scent of moisture; all in single file. Richard LP
Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by scratch on
Well that's very good Richard. Your poetry took us there and that's the key to it. Thanks for sharing.

 

Submitted by scratch on
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Submitted by Denzella on
Hello Richard, I too really liked this poem. Your pared back descriptive verse gave me a dry mouth. I also much admire your economy with words and cows do always seem to be stretching their tongues. Something I hadn't thought about till reading your poem.
 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on
Your comments, Denzella, are precious. I try to peel back the mask of innuendos, flattering costumes, and get into the soul of my subjects. Also, a writer must research their subjects, mostly through focused observances. My daughter and her husband have a small ranch in Alberta with Dexter (miniature cows) and during our visits I watched them perform for me. Cheers, from Esther and Richard.
Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by Denzella on
Hello Richard, My previous next door neighbours kept Dexters. They're red if I remember correctly. Regards to Esther too.
 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on
Holy cow! Red ones must be colourful against the green landscape. Why not write a poem about them? It is amazing how our memories remember details, the way they plod, the crook of their necks, the way they glance around as if inhaling life. Cheers. R and E.
Richard L. Provencher