Lena in Two - January 27, 2023
"...write
poetry or prose inspired by the title of the first book we read, are reading,
or will read in 2023."
Photo prompt of a burning house. I'd written my response to the Friday Writings prompt, then saw this photo prompt for The Sunday Muse. How could I not use it for a poem inspired by Light in August? So, I did, and wrote an accompanying haiku.
the burning farm house
shines brighter even than
the light in august
 |
| ©Jocelin Carmes |
This
August sun scorches,
baking
the rutted track beneath my bare feet.
Each
dusty step a blistering reminder
of
how far I’ve come,
of
how far I’ve yet to go.
Only
once in a while do
I
step into the scarce shade
the
droughtdry buckeye
offer on the verge.
Not
often, for
I
have miles to go before fulldarkness,
and
my burden grows heavy
under
this August sun.
©2023 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved
#inspiredbyfalkner #poetsandstorytellersunited #fridaywritings #freeversepoetry #lightinaugustpoetry #inspiredbylightinaugust #thesundaymuse #photoprompt #poetryprompt
I liked your haiku. Excellent. Not easy to write good ones !
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! :)
DeleteI haven't read Light in August, so I don't know if you are recreating the atmosphere of the book or taking the phrase somewhere new – but it doesn't matter, because I love the way you have brought the scene / experience to life. And how indeed could you resist that haiku for that picture and this prompt?
ReplyDeleteFairly true to the book, but it leaves it open to the reader to what leg of Lena's journey I'm alluding to, and which burden she carries. The novel is certainly dated as far as what would be considered "offensive," as would be expected by one set in, and written in, the American South in the 1930's. I first read it in a high school class. I hope anyone familiar with Falkner would recognize I was influenced by his use of original compound words in my poem!
DeleteThe journey does bring baggage that grows heavier with time. This is lovely Lisa and I too love the haiku!
ReplyDeleteLena's certainly did!
DeleteI see those compound words. :) An important book and thank heavens for shade, as scarce as it was and still is, in some quarters.
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly true. Both the importance of the book, and of shade!
Deleteof how far I’ve come,
ReplyDeleteof how far I’ve yet to go.
Only once in a while do
I step into the scarce shade
Love the fact that one is humanly subjected to human strengths and weaknesses all the time. It is a measure of strength in itself. It allows one to fall back a little and reflect and come off stronger. Great writing Lisa!
Hank
Thank you for your kind words! :)
Delete