A Poem. By me. (Poetry)

Member Name: benlepensive

Product:	Poetry
Date:	16/03/09 (92 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: moving

Disadvantages: strange

I grew up on a diet of poetry, studying Blake, Wordsworth and the war poets amongst others. The following poem is my own work; I wanted a short break from the reviews and felt a poem might be refreshing.

African Woman

Scorching sunlight beats down on her fragile frame
She pauses for a moment to wipe the sweat from her brow
Leaning 'gainst her plough, her face furrowed and weary
Scratched hands and bloodied legs show years of toil

Her master watches from his hammock, pipe in mouth
He pauses to pull his hat further down over his brow
Shielding the harsh rays as he fans his face with a feather
His mind fixed on the day's yieldings and his next meal

Woman has stooped to knees, crippled through years of labour
She catches sight of her crooked shadow in the brown soil
Her arched back and brittle fingers showing signs of decay
Thoughts fixed on work, survival and fear

Master has risen and is moving through the fields at pace
Whip at his side, his strides are decisive and bold
The glare of his eyes burns into the frail figure before him
Her frightened face is granted no remorse

Scorching strokes of pain blister her already chapped skin
On her knees she knows not to beg nor cry
One final devastating blow to her bony neck, she slumps
A crumpled skeletal figure in the red soil






River Woman

The day's weight on her shoulders does not dull her spirits
A smile as wide as the river she works sculps her face
Plump cheeks that glow with pride and purpose
She paints a picture of quiet content

Casting her net into clear crystal waters
A silver fin flashes in the ripples
Then darts beneath the surface into cooler climes
She shrugs her shoulders, she don't mind

More women gather on the river bank
They stop to unload the day's tales at leisure
Hearty laughter fills the warm summer air
Cares put aside while their nets coast the tide

Summary: two contrasting poems