Hoeing by John Updike
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| Dark Fields |
Hoeing by John Updike
I sometimes fear the younger generation
will be deprived
of the pleasures of hoeing;
there is no knowing
how many souls have been formed by this
simple exercise.
The dry earth like a great scab breaks,
revealing
moist-dark loam --
the pea-root's home,
a fertile wound perpetually healing.
How neatly the great weeds go under!
The blade chops the earth new.
Ignorant the wise boy who
has never rendered thus the world
fecunder.
I've rendered thus the world, but could never write like that.
ReplyDeleteThe hours I've spent hoeing are many.
That second stanza, oh yes. It's been years and years since I've read that poem, and it always feels like the first time. Good stuff there.
ReplyDeleteOh...to be a great writer/poet like Updike...sigh....
ReplyDeleteYou're really diving into poetry with both feet! Love it. xo
ReplyDeleteThe second stanza is my favorite too - how beautiful!
ReplyDeletethat is so lovely. the second stanza is so beautiful and rich. xo
ReplyDelete