Offerings Poem by Glen Kappy
Offerings
The earth
dampened to dark brown.
The grass
that grows up from it—
a wonderful green
a golden green—
(I'd say like emerald
or green garnet
if they were living
or as wholesome.)
Beneath our feet
both firm and giving
it supports us.
Coolness rises from it.
What do we really need?
How much do we really need?
Lovely! We have just seeded new grass in our garden and thanks to luxurious rains, it's green quickly and making a green carpet where there was none. Love the abundance in nature. Do you know the story How much land does a man need?
hey, laurie! thank you for your kind comment. and yay! for your new grass. - there's a 40 percent chance we'll get rain today- hoping and praying. and yes, i know the story. tolstoy's fables have pointed lessons. -glen
I like the poem. It's message and the way it is written-the pattern. Good job!
berlyn, i'm glad you like it. and, as you noticed, i pay attention to the shapes of my poems. like the words, like our lives, i think they should be pleasing. thank you for taking the time to read and comment. -glen
thank you, ashi! and i'm glad to make your acquaintance here on ph. i'd been thinking about these things for a little while now during my early morning walks around the park near my house, and it came together for me yesterday. blessings to you! -glen
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/16/2024 12:01:03 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Your poem echoes the theme of Leo Tolstoy's short story HOW MUCH LAND DOES A MAN NEED? The bitter answer is a plot just big enough for his corpse! Your poem teaches a comparable moral lesson in an upbeat manner. I love the unexpected image of the earth's coolness rising. And the contrast between the dampened earth and then the golden green grass on it is breathtaking. This is what Wm. Carlos Williams meant by NO IDEAS BUT IN THINGS. It's all in your imagery.
thank you, daniel, for your studied and generous comments. i have gotten SO MUCH from my early morning walks- so much all around to teach us. this poem brewed a while while i walked a path around a park; it was the image that called for expression. my favorite wms poems: the red wheelbarrow (brilliant and tantalizing!) and the apology to his wife for the plums in the fridge he ate. glen