Special thanks for Walt at Poetic Bloomings for choosing my recent poem, Thing 205, as his “beautiful bloom” of the week. I was sincerely flattered and honored. Here’s another for the Bloomers and the Scribblers as well!
Honest Thy Ploughs
Honest thy ploughs 
for the coming of Spring
That fields mayst be planted
their bounty to bring
Honest thy wits for
the work to be done
From fertile ground’s goodness
thy foodstuffs be won
Honest thy soul for
the days yet ahead
For labours be grateful,
no prayer left unsaid
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil (Photo courtesy of http://www.okgenweb.org)
Dedicated to independent organic farms and the farmers who strive to stay small and grow healthy food, while Monsanto, et al., seek to buy them out, blanket fields with chemicals, and cram Frankenfoods down our throats.
For Sunday Scribblings (honest – a bit of poetic license, arcane use of the imperative verb form for “hone”) and for Poetic Bloomings (poems about Spring).
Sharp Little Pencil 
booguloo
It is important to pray and support these small farmers. Frankenfood should be a vending machine company’s name as well. Nice piece.
Sharp Little Pencil
I agree with you all the way, Michael. Thanks so much! Amy
Kim Nelson
Honesty in all things… you’ve illustrated that tenet so well, Amy. A wonderful read, almost like a psalm or dedication.
Sharp Little Pencil
Hope you read the dedication below… to small farms, organic farmers… and a big raspberry to Monsanto, LOL. Amy
Buddah Moskowitz (@ihatepoetry)
Beautiful, Ameleh! Love such simple prayers – I think they’re easier for God to answer.
Sharp Little Pencil
I agree. My basic prayer is for patience. That covers most of my problems, and when folks are ill, etc., I pray for them to have patience with the process, as stress can cause the most complications. A thoughtful reply, Brudda, thanks. Love, Ameleh
sreeja
Yea I could feel that honesty….so true as the earth that supports us.
Sharp Little Pencil
You show wisdom in that comment. It’s true – humankind is, through technology and Big Agra, fomenting havoc. Add hydrofracturing and the off-quakes they cause (like the unprecedented earthquake that cracked the Washington Monument and rocked Quebec, when they were drilling in Pennsylvania), and we’ve all the elements of abusers. Thanks so much for this, and for visiting. Amy
Debbie
So thankful for you, Amy, and all the ways you use your gifts! This was perfect.
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, you know I feel the same way about you and your work. Peace, Amy
kaykuala
The small farmers are holding on, hopefully they can sustain. We get organic and herbs. All round healthy foods. Farmers have problems of markets and funds. They may just succumb to the big boys’ onslaught..
“For labours be grateful,
no prayer left unsaid”
Well said Amy! Spiritual strength may be able to overcome
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Good point, Hank. I believe that everyday things like food, money, and the rest reflect our spiritual values so deeply. Whether we support local merchants or haul off to Big Box stores for deep discounts at the expense of sweatshop workers’ lives. Whether we take the time for the Farmers’ Market or go to (shudder) the Super WalMart because their Chinese tomatoes are cheaper… so true. Thanks, Amy
vivinfrance
A lovely, lovely poem.
Sharp Little Pencil
Viv, I treasure this comment from you. Bless you. Amy
oldegg
What a fitting post for an old timer like me to read. I can remember well the old ways on the farm with horses still used extensively and the abundant hedgerows full of life and wildflowers and birdlife now rare. What a treat.
Sharp Little Pencil
That’s a lovely comment! Thanks so much, Robin. Nice to hear from one who holds those memories dear… my mom grew up in Iowa during the Depression and the only thing they ate all summer was corn… tithed by farmers, the outer rows. We only buy from local farmers, which means no asparagus in December, root veggies in the winter… and we are healthier for it! Amy
Jae Rose
This is a great..and honest..love for the land..and how hard it is to tend it..we are on opposite sides of the globe but that image is universal..and is a perfect accompaniment to these grounded words..Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
Jae, so true. No matter where we are, the tentacles of Big Business threaten our very way of life. We must remain vigilant and take lawmakers to task when they allow themselves to be bought off.
I think of places in Africa that were once lush rainforest and now are dusty, hideous blights and I want to cry… Amy
brian miller
life is that blend of work and prayer…and the planting of seeds….and what you plant you will surely harvest
Sharp Little Pencil
Too bad Monsanto seems to reap only profits, and no blowback from their oppressive Big Agra machine. Our sowing must be our voices, planted in the ears of Congress! (oh no, the activist is ranting) Peace, Amy
zongrik
honesty is important
gainfully employed
keiths ramblings
I find the way you write in the old English style simply beautiful. A lovely piece which is a delight to read
oncealibrarian
I like the dedication and the poem is an honest assessment – lovelty.
Norma Ruttan
wonderful ode to farmers…
Sherry Blue Sky
Vitally important topic, Amy. Thanks for helping spread the awareness!
Renee Espriu
Beautiful tribute to those who have worked hard for us to be able to have. Congrats on being chosen.
Lindy Lee
Yes, back to the honesty of the ploughs & to the earth with renewed respect for what nature gives us & expects only care, conscience & love in return…