deepundergroundpoetry.com
Carolina blooms
Carolina blooms
Tomorrow's my birthday but I know better than to ask for anything except, maybe I'll ask God for girl hands again. My hands have forgotten how to bleed, same as my brothers and cousins. Same as my back, it don't break anymore. Sparrow starts to sing and we join her, bringing gospel to the devil's field. I drink my own sweat because the sun and shadows tell me the next break is least an hour away.
spineless sharecropper
antediluvian chores
weave chambers of life
When it's time to knock off Im'ma ask Mr. Ramsey to work a bit more, all week, take a bit of the extra money and buy me ten cents worth a candy. I'll make my own party for me and my sisters.
yellow jessamine
beaten in the white season
self resurrection
(Writer's note: This haibun is written out of the stories my mother told me about her life in South Carolina in the 1940s. She worked in the cotton fields starting at age 9. Submitted in the Grapes of Wrath challenge hosted by ZexionKingdomHeart.)
Painting: Kadir Nelson
Tomorrow's my birthday but I know better than to ask for anything except, maybe I'll ask God for girl hands again. My hands have forgotten how to bleed, same as my brothers and cousins. Same as my back, it don't break anymore. Sparrow starts to sing and we join her, bringing gospel to the devil's field. I drink my own sweat because the sun and shadows tell me the next break is least an hour away.
spineless sharecropper
antediluvian chores
weave chambers of life
When it's time to knock off Im'ma ask Mr. Ramsey to work a bit more, all week, take a bit of the extra money and buy me ten cents worth a candy. I'll make my own party for me and my sisters.
yellow jessamine
beaten in the white season
self resurrection
(Writer's note: This haibun is written out of the stories my mother told me about her life in South Carolina in the 1940s. She worked in the cotton fields starting at age 9. Submitted in the Grapes of Wrath challenge hosted by ZexionKingdomHeart.)
Painting: Kadir Nelson
Published 11th Feb 2014
| Edited 31st Dec 2017
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 5
reading list entries 2
comments 6
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The author encourages honest critique.
12th Feb 2014 1:02am
bringing gospel to the devil's field!! wow.
this really inspiring form allows voices to refract and reflect the light amongst shadow
this really inspiring form allows voices to refract and reflect the light amongst shadow
12th Feb 2014 4:29am
I'm still working at developing my skills in this poetic medium ... It's a delicate but dictated balance of prose and haiku ... I greatly appreciate your reading & commenting on my efforts thus far
Salud
Salud
12th Feb 2014 4:14am
Your mother should visit your poetry more often, she is pleased to have her voice roll In you, and I am honored to make her acquaintance. Sincerely. Great narrative poem.
12th Feb 2014 4:35am
Thank you for your incredibly kind words ... My mom is quite the woman - in just speaking to her today she told me in those times she'd also have to babysit her twin sisters who were six years younger while working the fields ...
Thank you greatly for the List add.
Thank you greatly for the List add.
14th Feb 2014 5:13pm
15th Feb 2014 11:43am
