She
Stands Alone
Randy
Allstun
She
stands alone, majestic and sad
Icy gales ripping her brown
Raiment from gnarled arms outstretched above
Coal-black, fertile, frozen soil.
What
mystery stayed her quick demise
As she reigns unscathed
On ancient knoll when others perished
From saw and blade, cut and chop?
Ten-score
seasons passed ruling, watching
Droughts and floods, day and night, light
Flourishing crops, barren fields, always
Blanketing her anchored feet.
Free
lodging provided to countless
Wayfarers and denizens
Nesting birds and squirrels, farmers who
Nap in shade and coolness then-
Work
the soil beneath her protective
Reach; generations passing
Loving, growing, crying, and dying
Faithful, loyal minions.
She
stands alone, majestic and sad
Moonlight scattered through stark crown
Corn stover bowing in obeisance
Dark Queen in tattered gown.
***
Randy
Allstun is a farmer and teacher in extreme Southeast Missouri.
He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a major
in mathematics and minors in science and English. He has been
writing essays and poems for years, but only for his students.
©
Randy Allstun