August storm forged east across the plain(Yes, I remarked to My One the day before the storm that this was the best popcorn that I've raised.)
straight line winds followed by the rain
Trees uprooted, limbs broken, roofs torn
laying over en-mass the acres of corn
Best corn that I'd ever grown
was my thought on Monday til
nature's wind being what it is
all creation bends to its will
And if I were a religious man
I'd heed the ancient words of
"After pride comes the fall"
but that's not all
not at all
Chainsaw serenade heard past midnight
house debris and limbs piled by daylight
Power out for nearly a quater mil
a hundred thousand without power still
A week later in recovery
the cleanup continues
in the battered landscape
in city and country views
And if I were a betting man
with neighbors like these
We'll rise up again
and will begin
to rest therein
After nearly two weeks, there is still cleanup work to complete at the farm and in the community. One thing about Iowans is that we don't wait for help, we get to work. Those who had chainsaws started cleanup as soon as the storm cleared. Small food vendors have been preparing meals nearly every day for those who need them. Semi loads of food and water have arrived and distributed.
There's a lot of work left and about 10,000 electric customers in the area without power. The harder we work, the sooner we get back to our lives.
Linked to Poets and Storytellers United: Writers’ Pantry #34: Writing Is Easy
Agriculture is no game but hard work and at times quite depressing, with drought, rain and of course cyclones. Loss of power is often an extra punch in the guts. No better last words that those you included in the poem.
ReplyDeleteThat is one reason I have a salaried job to pay the major bills. I understand farming and I should return to it full time because the rewards far outweigh the risks.
DeleteA very descriptive poem of a terrible storm.I am happy you and your community is bathing in resilience. Take care and wish you strength
ReplyDeleteI've seen it many times when our neighbors pitch in to help one another. I thank you for your well wishes and thank you for stopping by.
DeleteA vivid recreation; made me feel as if I was in amongst it. You convey that tough yet caring community spirit well, too. (From all the way over here, I was taught long ago to respect Iowans – by one Radar O'Reilly.)
ReplyDeleteOh, Rosemary. I've always thought Hollywood has never gotten us right.
DeleteIt is in times like these where we see the best and worst in our neighbors. Thank you for your good thoughts.
I couldn't be a farmer. Love the writing.
ReplyDeleteThere is something about the smell of freshly turned earth that draws us back. I'm lucky to have a salaried job for the bills but this is my love.
DeleteThank you for stopping by, J Cosmo! I appreciate your kind words.
Such a lot of hard work but so much relief when things turn out OK, despite everything, and people work together, help each other, and show community spirit. That was some storm, Joel, and so many people without power! You conveyed the strength of the storm well in the line ‘August storm forged east across the plain’ and ‘Trees uprooted, limbs broken, roofs torn’. I’m so sorry about the corn crop.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your concern, Kim. It's appreciated.
DeleteI may still have a decent year for the popcorn but the farmer's markets are closed so it will be stored through the winter to be sold next spring.
I'm glad you liked this and thank you for the feedback.
This is heartbreaking, yet i so luv the spirit of recovery
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday
Much💝love
There are some who lost their home buts we were spared. It will take time so long as we work at it and don't give up.
DeleteThank you for stopping by, Gillena. It's always appreciated.
This render the communal wound and the slow healing visible--the lack of power, the damaged houses and then the community response. Hope the recovery is swift.
ReplyDeleteIt will take time for some who lost their homes. We had no significant damage to the homestead and I'm thankful for that.
DeleteThank you for your kind words, Chrissa. I appreciate them.
Oh, Joel, I'm so sorry you were a victim of the storm that left such devastation in Iowa. The photos of corn fields flattened by the wind touched me, having grown up in the Illinois corn belt. Farmers are the most resilient people in the world, and they will rise like Phoenix from the ashes. God bless.
ReplyDeleteOur damage was minor compared to some. I can replace a tree and not all of the popcorn was destroyed but many are without homes.
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words, Beverly. May His blessings be returned to you as well.
this made me smile. i like your positivity in a treacherous time. God bless.
ReplyDeleteNature is a powerful teacher. As I'm finding there is more damage than initially thought but not the kind of damage like losing a home.
DeleteThanks for the kind thoughts, Humble
I'm glad you are recovering so well.
ReplyDeleteThere are worse off people as you have pointed out. It will take time. Thank you for the reminder, Magaly.
DeleteCommunities banding together in times of disaster... it's what makes us who we are...
ReplyDeleteThere is so much more to do and it will take time to recover fully. Unfortunately others are in need beyond just cleanup even still two weeks later.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Rajani
There's nothing like having a good neighbor when disaster strikes.
ReplyDeleteAnd a sharp chainsaw! Everyone needs a helping hand once in a while. It will take time to recover for some.
DeleteThanks for your thoughts, MMT.
I admire your tenacity after so much destruction. Hopefully your corn will grow higher next year.
ReplyDeleteToo much spring rain, drought, winds, hail, etc.... each year gives us a variety to deal with. But the worst part of all this is my salary job taking too much of my time.
DeleteThank you for the well wishes, Rommy. Someday...