Il Ciclo della Mela
In the quiet before sunrise the plain stretches away
indefinitely, into the morning mist.
From the spring green fields, among the trees,
the houses and the barns fade up.
Some seem as old as the land,
pink and grey, paint dissolves back to harmony.
Generations have laboured here
with no great plan or purpose.
The farm equipment, left for the night’s rest,
is an accumulation of old and new,
The bordered fields an organisation evolved
through centuries of argument over inches.
From the window of an electric train
it seems a bucolic paradise.
The new season follows the old; the son, the father;
each making only the changes required to remain the same.
A wonder!
Can the will that kept this casual human occupation
last out to feed another, modern generation?
Author notes
In northern Italy there is a whole industry based on fruit farming. It's known as 'Il ciclo della mela' - 'The Apple Cycle'. One wonders if it would survive without the European Agricultural Policy.
This poem is now a collaboration with cvillelisa. I found the experience of working with someone else very interesting and rewarding, so much so that I have put the complete history of the poem and its development on line. If you are prepared to be bored by the minutiae of the process, look at: www.napoleon.plus.com/60302collab.htm
Written March 2nd, 2006
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Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Lovely contemplative piece.
Imagery that reveres its subject ... "Some seem as old as the land, pink and grey, paint dissolves back to harmony." Thoughtful observation that hints at border squabbles ... "The bordered fields an organisation evolved through centuries of argument over inches." A gentle, pastoral piece of work.
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Interesting. I enjoyed the last lines much more than the rest of the poem.
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Enjoyed this very much.
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Such a lovely scene you portray here - and I too wonder if this can survive another generation. Well written.
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ooooh yes.
lovely. i bask it the apple scent. -
Your wish is my command.
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Lol. I loved the boring minutiae of this. You know how I feel about this piece so I won't drone.
Could you do me one small favor? Could you give it a little room on the page - say five lines at the top and five on the bottom so it is not scrunched up against all the blah blah blah and we can enjoy its beauty on the page?
Thanks again.
Lisa
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Superb...
workshopping is a great tool at times.. makes us look at our words and placement
I loved the bucolic humanity and the conditioning in this fine piece
well done to the pair of you
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How could anyone critique this Its supurb. I dont know what the title means but the words were beautiful. Im sooooo glad I read it
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Not only am I interested in critiques, but I also keep tinkering and fine tuning. Tell me how to write better and you're a friend for life. vic
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I like this very much. Are you interested in critiques? We've not exchanged much so before I do so, I'm going to ask.
I love the title. I really came looking for your new contest to applaud but got sucked in here. -
one of your finest.
m -
Soothing and thought provoking vic. I love the idea of the apple cycle. It would be broken on the Brussels cycle.
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