From Fields of Whey

From the ready fields of golden whey
I watched, stunned, as the sun set
Catching fire to the sky’s veil of blue vision
The tender tips of my fingers stung
With the whip of the whey in the wind
The summer’s soft rain fell hastily
And left little more than a patch of flaky mud
Fragrances of sweet corn and fresh cotton
Proposed to me from fields away
I could sense the coming of summer’s end
Smelling the dust of days past settle
I remembered your laughter soaring on the wind
Those hours we spent just playing as children do
Alas the night came and dreams laid in wait
Yet my feet could not stir from that spot
Your memory had rooted me to that patch of earth
And those roots came only to betray me
All I wanted was to run far from that place
That now holds the pain I have felt knowing
We shall never stand there together again
As the cloak of night fell over my pain
I stood watching the skies for you, brother
And you spoke to my heart through the stars
Then as the sun rose and shattered the darkness
Yet again setting fire to mercury black clouds
I heard your laughter soar, blissfully
Wafting over that awakening field of whey
I found my legs wondering this earth
Trapped no more, your love has released me

This was a dream I had shortly after the death of my 14 year old baby brother a few years back. The house we grew up in was surrounded by fields on all four sides and he is buried just a field away from that house in a small cemetery were we used to play.

— theladyblue, Nov 02, 2008

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: USA

Critiques

t. reflexion

17 years 7 months ago

Golden whey...

I just like this poem. A special tribute to a dear brother. Full of imagery and rendered gracefully to convey the love for a dear one. Well done. Whey, other than its meaning, what are the other allusions? 'Field of whey', an interesting place, is it not so? Best wishes. T.

theladyblue

17 years 7 months ago

I realize to many this will have a different meaning...

but that is a sort of 'nickname' the farmers in our area gave to the hay that sprang up every year after harvest. It is not like regular hay it is finer but grows more densely and dies out with a few weeks but it is a beautiful and intense golden color that makes for fabulous pictures. I am glad you enjoyed this piece...thank you for your comments! <3 Emarie @~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@ "For every shadow, no matter it's depth, is threatened by the morning's light..."

Rett

17 years 7 months ago

So sad

It is hard to lose those close to you. I have watched several in my family die. a brother drank himself to death, a mother of cancer, a sister in law also a victim of alcohol. others have died for different reasons. It is hard and this if a wonderful tribute to them. Well done. Very touching. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

theladyblue

17 years 7 months ago

He is a very special young

He is a very special young man and I say is because he has not yet left me. I practically raised him and sad to say but just weeks before he passed we both knew it would be soon and so we spent a whole week together talking about the mysteries of life and wondering why he did not die months before when he should have...I now know why God gave him to me for that little bit longer and I am thankful. I can not imagine being so young and already at piece with a death that seems so unnecessary. But he knew it was coming for him again and asked me to except it so that I could help carry our family. My siblings each have very special gifts and Mathew's was simply to be the wisest creature I have ever known. Much love <3 Emarie @~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@ "For every shadow, no matter it's depth, is threatened by the morning's light..."

tbeaudet

17 years 7 months ago

It's not always the past that you miss the most

sometimes you miss what was to be. Beautiful and heartfelt tribute to Matthew. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I cannot say anything else right now. Tom http://www.neopoet.com/node/12548

theladyblue

17 years 7 months ago

I told you our paths were

I told you our paths were similar but my friend it does not end there...thank you for your time and sweet comments! much love! <3 Emarie @~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@ "For every shadow, no matter it's depth, is threatened by the morning's light..."

tbeaudet

17 years 7 months ago

Have you read

Promises & Prayers or Still Listening? When you have some time... you may appreciate. Tom http://www.neopoet.com/node/12548

Electric Blue

17 years 6 months ago

From Fields of Whey

I found this exquisite the imagery will stay with you always. This precious week given to share a lifetime with Matthew. It is not so strange that those who are dying know their time is short. So for you to share these precious moments amazing. Because you will as you have said in your poem. Re tred each step remember each word touch and feelings. To feel the wind sway over the fields as waves in the sea and the glorious aroma of the sweet smell of the corn. Do not be afraid to go back to the path. Go there and Matthew will walk with you always. Pease will be with you. Remember the laughter you share to run the fields on a summers day. Memories no one can take away but we can relive them to the full. In remembering we can see hear and feel all the elements shared. love always maggie my tears of sadness flow but also of joy. I have lost both parents to cancer. My first husband to cancer one brother to drink My mother in law to alzhiemers Second husband to suicide. It is hard to let go and say goodbye I wonder why am i Always the survivor? But have treasured memories but have come to understand it is out of my hands.