stalwart

The old corn mill on Tidewater Ave, Victoria, VA

Photograph by Robby Batte at Shutterbatte Photography

Stalwart

I remember men poppa called help.

 

They had darkened skin,

imperishable hides

that hung tirelessly on stalwart frames,

 

furrowed faces,

gullied,

erosion by rivers of sweat

over years of day-in-day-out,

dripped off hard lined, chiseled jaws,

 

hands as big flat cakes,

and as strong as rod iron vice grips,

 

the rasp of baritone voices

scratched raw from tobacco-smoke and profanity

that hushed when I drew near,

 

lungs that could process

smoke, red clay dust, gasoline fumes,

silo air, diesel exhaust,

and exhale without wheezing.

 

If my chores were done

Poppa took me with them

to the mill where corn was ground to grain,

and I leaned and perched my heel against the wall

just as they did while we pulled

from Orange Nehis and crunched Nabs .

 

For a while I could pretend

my hands were as strong as vice grips

and my eyes had seen what theirs had seen.

 

Some men changed from year to year,

ramblers and desperados hired on

with just as furrowed skin,

just as gravel voiced,

just as stalwart framed,

just as vacant stares recalling things

they'd never tell.

 

Every evening a judgeless meal in grandma's kitchen

made an equalizer of us all,

where every one reclaimed their manners,

humbly prayed with due respect and folded hands.

 

The evening would set

and they would go their way,

cigarette embers dimmed

as they neared the end of the driveway.

Reviews

[Emily B]

yes, oh yes, the voice is beautiful

[m.s.early]

Thank you so much Emily :)

[Brittany Zedalis]

This is really grand. The imagery is just...so vivid! Awesome writing!

[m.s.early]

Thank you Brittany :)

[Bright Ocean Star]

You set the stage really well with a lot of detail and mood. I like your writing style. Very nice!

[m.s.early]

Thank you very kindly, Anne :)

[Lyn Anderson]

You definitely have a gift for this particular type of story telling. I always feel like I am in a movie. You should try reciting some of them and adding that ...

[m.s.early]

Thank you KL. My sister says the same thing. Maybe y'all are on to something ;)

[s y e]

Very descriptive, I loved it, X!

[Claire in VA]

This is the type of X. Silver poetry that I love. I will remember it.
Excellent imagery. Thanks for sharing this piece of history's puzzle.
Claire

[m.s.early]

Thank you Claire. You're very welcome...

[Imogen.E]

Lovely poem and narration of a great idea. I love it!!

[m.s.early]

Thank you so much friend :)

[lost girl]

In this piece I could breathe you....sharing your stored eyes...your infectious imagery. I felt emotional & humbled in the stanza : judgeless meal in grandma's kitchen
made an equalizer of us all,
where every one reclaimed their manners,
humbly prayed with due respect and folded hands.
This piece is truly note worthy and should be in a magazine for all to share. Excellent!

[m.s.early]

What a humbling review lost girl. You're too kind. There's a southern literary magazine I'm going to submit it to in the spring when they begin. Thank you so much.

[lost girl]

Let me know when they publish it...I'll buy a copy :)

[m.s.early]

How optimistic.

I realized I'd left off part of the line I had in my head when I wrote that stanza. I edited it.

[lost girl]

I'm a believer :)

[m.s.early]

I'm a believer... I couldn't leave her... if I tried... sorry... lol

[lost girl]

wouldn't expect less :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what a great story poem, you took me back...i could visualize and feel this.

and love the pic cause old buildings that once were in use and now are abandoned always fascinate me.

[m.s.early]

Thank you Jacob. We have a site dedicated to old buildings. Take a look at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Abandoned-in-Virginia/667522843281098

[Sami Khalil]

Good memories for the narrator, lessons to learn and appreciate, memories to keep that resonates till modern times and things to recall in the hushed silence. A wonderful write...:)..............

[m.s.early]

Thank you for your appreciation, Sami :)

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:).........................