I Took the Rural Route
The back way, on Hwy 115, past Needmore road, Harmony and Cool Springs where Nancy’s Snack Shop WELCOMES TRUCKERS on a faded sign and JESUS IS ALL YOU NEED under praying hands at the dingy The Truth and The Way Chapel. THANK YOU JESUS painted wide-brush yellow on dilapidated shed doors. Someone or something has fallen—into a state of disrepair yet thankful.
We saw each other for an instant, a silver haired woman turned from her mailbox, mouth folded in like an apple doll—a taxidermy sign nailed to a tree is crooked without hope of a fox to stuff and display in a neighbor’s den. Although, there may still be dens in the neat clapboard homes I pass—a dusty racoon on the mantle, sooty paws forever in mid-stride.
In a field two Adirondack chairs face sunset behind a brick ranch, and a bucket truck is parked down the road, expectant crane fully extended—aerial platform empty—like my reaching arms. I’ve missed something and can’t get it back.
Stands of mill pines sandwich a precise cut field of electric towers, like Amish giants with skirts and bonnets, march—hold sagging jump-rope wires into a vanishing point. Farmed fields—two phallic silos protrude some distance from squat water tank’s nippled roof.
It all starts with water, seed, fertilize and feed.
Ears UP!
(191) Angels in Heaven - Chris Rodrigues & the Spoon Lady - YouTube
Beautiful, Kristen. A very beautiful capture of the scenery and atmosphere. To me, you've found a great balance between the beauty of days gone by and the state of disrepair. Great write.
I've read, listened to and enjoyed this poem several times. I love it!! The rich imagery reminds me of those blissful years of freedom, exploring the country and driving thousands of miles on rural roads, with the windows down. I know of silver haired women at mailboxes, barefooted children splashing in puddles and old farmers on old tractors plowing fields. I shared my joy with them by throwing my arm out the window and waving enthusiastically, sometimes shouting hello! It was such fun to see their puzzled expression as they stared after me. And, what a thrill it was when they appreciated the surprise and waved back with a big grin!