Rock ribbed and ruggedly worn
sea sprays wind shorn coast of fame
where rigid emigrants will was borne
stubborn independence found icy flame.
Old line wealth and shiny wooden boats
flat taste in food and friends narrow sect
church Sunday blusters in macintosh coats
pale and paler, bound by country club respect.
From far Presque Isle to towns named 'port'
where proud people once raised totem praise
some plans spanned sun belts and lone star sports
privileged life, teeming bays, sons glorious rays.
A nation delivered thus, to potato farmland rusts
forged in myth of neo-royalty, family honor and pride
in time conniving 'leaders' rose to snatch high trusts
so then was peace forsaken and sweet liberty denied.
Rains fell four thousand times not least on plains of Maine
but n'er on friends of friends, haves and haves more
whether towers fell or cities sank 'neath storms of pain
business of day was business, and wealth its own reward.
Author notes
For some reason when I think of Maine i think of Kennebunkport and the Bush family... and then...well!
A contest entry
- Richard Cory by Yemassee.
1700 points, ended March 26, 2008, 9 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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Congratulations on the Bronze. Well deserved.
Ken
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Now you tell somethings I didn't know about Maine, not that I knew much besides it being a beautiful state with lots of lakes, lovely lobsters and of course Moxie
Your approach was quite different than the other entries I read. You found the 'others' and it's funny because for what I read, the author of Richard Cory wasn't very fond of 'outsiders'
As I told you before, you touched one of Yem's weak point, his Maine
Bonne chance!!
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You've brought to life a time in Maine long past, but well loved by we locals. Not that we always remember the truth, class differences we wash out from history, at least popular history.
Maine is a poor state, you won't find too many slums, but we have the odd shacks and rundown trailers, not to suggest that's what tourists see, Maine is beautiful, and has it's portion of unshared wealth too.
As far as Kennebunkport and the Bushes...stop that! lol They are no more Mainers than Bin laden...and only slightly less accessible. They are "from away" as we call anyone not born here and sometimes even attach that label to their children, even when born in Maine.
No, The Georgies are not Maine! Maine are the hard working fellows who watched all the factories leave for Mexico and who knows where else so that proud workers could then find jobs where they say, "Will you have fries with that?"
Sorry, lol
But your poem, it's expertly written, skilled, adept, and has an understanding of the disperity of the haves and have nots...
Ah Don Quixote, ride proud Rocinante toward the gates of Maine and defend it from those evil Texans who despoil my state!
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you are very kind, i think many people still identify Maine with the "from away" crowd, but my first exposure was fact finding on loss of jobs, and farm labor issues, i agree it is a beautiful place... hope to get back there soon....PK
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Such a rythmic piece, and so many poetic truths. WEll done.
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