erikestabrook

looming evergreens, started up to shelter us,
We lived outside the town on land that always grew,
you could never see it all, but I tried as children always do,
We weren't farmers, fencers was more like it,
so much time on fence, still people kept clipping it,

We we're well-versed in survival,
when it was cold you wore snow-gear,
all the heaters in our house we're working,
we knew how to shoot a gun, and what animals to avoid,

shortly, we we're a typical family in the mid-west,
on our hands and knees with fence, and posts constantly,
farmers knew work but we we're hardly lazy,

I liked the character of our dirt,
it was as rich as can be,
when you got down to it,
it was as fertile as anyone else's round here,

How we'd look to people,
that we're usually cold,
God said know your neighbors and treat them well,
although he didn't tell you to be like them,

I loved to catch the tumbleweeds,
although sometimes I'd run past my eyes,
and hear the howling coyotes,
who I'd learned to despise,

the saying we'd sing,
was that ribbons on a swing,
we'd come to your dirt God,
we lay in what you bring,
I won't be distraught,
if the winter lays me cold,
I'm a ribbon on a swing,
living simply as you told.

nomadicrhymer

Erik, this seems more like a poem...for me anyway, and the way it reads...it even rhymes in places. It's a nice relaxing piece...like lazing around on a Sunday afternoon...remembering...

I'm a ribbon on a swing,
living simply as you told.

as someone who knows their place in life, and has no plans to go anywhere and do anything else...just continue being...

"a ribbon on a swing"

I like it...love it!!

Nomad

erikestabrook

thanks Nomad I knew immediately this was my best piece yet to me at least

nomadicrhymer

Maybe because it calls to something in you? a remembered life, probably? I don't agree that it's your best work...from my perspective...there are many pieces I'd pick instead...but it is cathartic and beneficial for you that you feel connected to it, to the extent that you are.

Nomad

erikestabrook

well thats a good sign I guess if its not my best,
I guess the fact that I actually talk about myself, which I rarely do,
it must be that that's what I wanted my childhood to encompass,

it still my best to me but maybe its not really the highest quality,
I can't judge well myself

PaintedDiary

Dear Erik,

This definitely told a story, as was a journey of sorts, in poetic structure. I especially love the metaphor of the stanza I highlighted, referring to the dirt, had so many meanings, and was classic! I wonder how many "Ribbons on a Swing", can many of us remember from our childhood? That saying has such a homey, warm, and "I am satisfied, and happy" feel to it. As if to say, "My family and I are blessed, and proud of our simple life". With each member contributing a square patch on your "Generation Quilt". I loved this write Erik. It was different for you, as I believe you rarely scribe about your family life, so this is an exclusive write! I enjoyed this very much Erik, and thank you for sharing.

{{{{{~~~***KIM***~~~}}}}}

erikestabrook

thanks kim
well it is a rather colorful version of my childhood,
the metaphors and feelings were real,

yeah I do rarely go there but I actually liked doing that for once