Author | Christopher Stolle
This inky plow cuts into virgin earth
weaving nonfungible patterns
but sow those seeds and irrigate
allowing chemistry to connect hybrids
incongruent molecules ready to burst
to propagate select philosophies
those speaking about harvesting
about eating only what you can hold.
Summer rain pounds vigorous crops
floods hopes for fruitful lexicons
vernaculars and accents infusing stories
colloquialisms uncovering homemade masks
contours to betray every origin
serifs being chopped and turned immobile
tourists gaping at such honest tactics
blood still staining innocent hands.
Wounds cut deep but love cutting deeper
plucking fragments and weeds
tender skin not afraid to exhibit its scars
no sidekicks needed for this shadow sideshow
windows into souls and into skyscrapers
fallow land swallowed by progress
witness changes termed holding fast to tradition
someone reminds everyone that words can’t die.
Just turn over every acre to find new ones.
About the Author | Christopher Stolle poetry has appeared most recently or is forthcoming in the Tipton Poetry Journal, Flying Island, Branches, Indiana Voice Journal, Black Elephant, The Poetry Circus, Smeuse, The Gambler, 1932 Quarterly, Brickplight, Medusa’s Laugh Press, and Sheepshead Review. He works as an acquisitions and development editor for Penguin Random House, and he lives in Richmond, Indiana.