~
Plain grasses’ perpetual fodder
cloak vole, pampas dog, jack rabbit
and holes below – our larder and kitchen.
The gnarled cottonwood and aspen
knuckles enclose the bees, ants
a falcon perch – our roof.
Prairie chicken struts a proud throated warble
sun sets, we tell a vision.
Red foxes pounce – our den.
Streams wander, reappear,
lakes vamp the heavens,
gray clouds talk and cry joy – our bath.
The buffalo dung warms our hearts
cooks antelope,
highlights the dancing headdress – our fireplace.
~
Author notes
Prompt: Home
Tiyatani is Lakota Indian for "home".
A contest entry
- Home by CarolDesjarlais.
1500 points, ended November 25, 2008, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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excellent! I've lived out west and out in the wilds, used dung as fuel and the whole nine yards. Love the feel of this and the way you employed the repetition with - our kitchen & larder, our roof, our den, etc. Well done - poetry I would revisit.
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Thank you Marcy. So you were a 'settler' of sorts I guess. That is so cool. Thanks for reading this.
Paul
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You do , indeed, tell a vision. I related not just to the imagery but the symbolism you have so well used for connotations of home! Bravo, poet!
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Thank you Carol. It was a pleasure to write for another of your contests.
Paul
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You appealed to Native American blood with this. A lesson on Lakota life as well as poetry. I like this very much. Good work, Poet.
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Thank you Wolfheart for reading and commenting.
Paul
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Wow! I found this read to be fast and image full. Really fast like "bam, bam, bam". Before I knew it I was outside with you and the animals. I must say that "buffalo dung" is the most original image of something that warms the heart.
Love,
Amera♥
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lol Thank you Amera. It's not readily apparent, but dried buffalo dung or 'chips' are what was used to keep the fires going in the old west.
Paul -
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LOL, Oh! my bad...
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