Hammocks and Iowa Corn
THE HAMMOCK
The belly
of the thick carnival cloth
on an airless
humid day,
swinging side to side
until there is
stillness
is the only place I know
that resembles
the womb
I came from
Mothers
should never die
with children
young,
especially
5
IOWA CORN
The Iowa corn
she knew so well
is forever tall.
Our grief harvested
with every season.
Thank God
for fertile
ground.
I wrote this poem a while back, during the MFA program, 2005, 2006. Hammocks have always been a significant part of my life, especially childhood in Panama. I can think of two of three poems I've written where hammocks show up.
Whenever I find a hammock, I am there. I've actually stayed at particular hotels, because they have hammocks. One is Key West I remember well.
A few weeks ago hammocks came up in conversation, and I shared how much I love them and that they remind me of being in my Mother's womb. And this poem came to mind. I've also been telling Maddie and Morgan that the camping hammock is going to make it's spring debut on the back patio soon.
For everyone the place is different, for some a couch, for some a swing under a old familiar tree, for some a bench in a favorite park or the worn saddle on a horse, your cousin's garden, the banks of a shy river, a nearby mountain top …… wherever the place is for you, GO THERE !
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| Camping Hammock |
