Beneath His Watch

Would the scarecrow climb down from his perch,
his job done and the fields fallow,
the promise of a harvest satisfied
as the roughened hands of the season

gently lay him down upon the plant stubble,
bewitched he watches the white thumbprint
clouds glide slowly over his loose supine body
from an angle most unique, and he sleeps,

until the loam is plowed and turned and the earth
tosses off her frosted frock and awakens the scarecrow
who will arise once more taking his strategic post
protecting the fragility of the life beneath his watch.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

very interesting take on the scarecrow .. they have been used so much lately as an image of peril and great harm .. you have lifted them to new heights ... your language is excellent ... full of warmth, the circle of seasons and Mother Earth ... had to read a couple times ... feels good!
E.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks for such a nice review Einstein. It's fun to look at things from a different angle just like the scarecrow. Thanks again

[MsJewel]

Your beautiful poem took me back to my childhood - driving the country roads with my grandparents counting the scarecrows watching over the fields -

I enjoyed this very much!

:) Julie

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

[Tom]

The scarecrow's watch is over for another year but he'll return refreshed, when the sun shines warm again to resume his pole position!

A terrific tribute to country life and one of its characters..The Scarecrow !

[icelandicblue]

An iconic character he is. Thanks Tom.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Very beautiful poetry, Anne. The scarecrow guarding the fields becomes a part of them and then rises up with the next growing season to keep watch again. Really nice.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks for reading Joyce, I'm happy you liked the poem.

[Ruth]

The cycle of life and death here and rebirth is most tenderly expressed...hauntingly so...moved me, deeply...

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much...it is all a cycle don't you think?

[Ruth]

Very much, a pattern to everything in life ey? x

[Diana]

I enjoyed this. I couldn't help but think of parents watching over their children or teachers watching over their students... That's quite the personified scarecrow.

I like how he comes back to life in the end. The saga continues in a way...

[icelandicblue]

I think you are right the concept can be applied to a number of things (although I wasn't thinking of them when I wrote this). I like your take on the poem, thank you.

[Lydia Shutter]

What a wonderful scene you created and then transported us to it! The personification of the scarecrow. Tired after his work watching the fields and then finally resting when the winter comes...watching "white thumbprint clouds".....fantastic image! Yes, the crops are fragile and he stands there protecting them for all he's worth....braving the winds and rain. I liked this a lot, Blue. Lydi**

[icelandicblue]

Lydi thanks so much for your delightful review. It is truly appreciated.

[Pete Langley]

I love this poem....the concept of the watcher, the protector of the soil at rest is vivid and emotive. I have one timid suggestion, Anne... I feel that " climb nimbly" is perhaps inappropriate for a scarecrow - maybe "arise"? Just a thought! Super. P.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Pete,

Nimbly was an addition to the poem. I will ponder it and under your suggest it probably change it.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks again Pete-
I changed the entire line based on your suggestion.

[Pete Langley]

That`s great!

[Pryde Foltz]

The scarecrow is the guardian of plenty keeping away the black birds of deprivation. No, he keeps watch until the fields have been harvested. Amazing write.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for sharing your imagery Pryde.

[Angi]

Blue, the personification on this piece is fantastic. I pictured work-worn hands come down to tuck him into sleep for the winter. I lay there looking through his eyes up at the thumbprint clouds until he drifted off. The busy sounds of planting time woke him..I saw him jump up, filled with purpose, ready to do the work he was made to do. I love this piece. It is different and I really like coming across different when it is done well. Angi~

[icelandicblue]

Oh Angi,
Thank you so much. Your words have lifted my spirits. I am so happy you saw something special in this scarecrow of mine.
: )

[Angi]

Well thank you for writing something that lifted me up, too! You know how it is to come across something that grabs you, I am sure.

[Baby Ricochet]

Kinda like an old farmers story. Good one blue

[icelandicblue]

I like that, an old farmer's story...thanks.