|
The Farm
a farmer is proud
proud of his farm
so when someone comes
comes with a large framed photograph
of his farm
taken from the air
so few people come to his door
then to come with a photograph
of his farm
and framed
he listens
you listen
this is something he can buy
that will make his farm immortal
immortal on his farmhouse wall
the living room wall
immortal
there was one my father bought
but it was a little different then
the photograph was in black and white
but someone painted colors in later
yes, it was a painting
a painting of your farm
and as paintings are
maybe a little better
than the reality
the disused field
behind the barn
now painted pasture green
and the weeds in the orchard
they disappear
but this happened:
the concrete floor was going in
going in the new shop building
my father takes me
takes me and my brothers
and while the concrete is still wet
has us put our feet in
and leave a depression
he writes the date
in the painting the shop
covered with silver tin
is bright like a brilliant light
a brilliant light
an emptiness that comes
comes with the tingle at the end of my nerves
something I have made
something that is lost
I will keep going this way
Blue
blue
pronounced boo
your first color word
blue is quiet
blue is peace
blue is the sea
at rest
and the car seat
in the white Rambler
in the church parking lot
it was a long walk
from the car to the door
the sound the gravel makes
the singing from inside
again and again
and finally,
a safe bet, you think,
accept Him
it may be true
nothing to lose
but you're skeptical
at five
you're as smart
as you will ever be
the language is there
boo is quiet
boo is peace
boo is the sea
at rest
you believe
a harmless lie
and it makes your mother
so happy
boo, boo,
mom, boo
nothing scares you
I will live forever |
