Monday, April 14, 2025

Bradley Field: Day 14

I imagine the soccer field off Bradley street
No players, no people, no mowers, no machines
Empty day and night as sour grass blooms
Lucky leafed clover sprouts in families of four

As the weeds take the reigns
Vines overtake goal frames

The sun behind the clearing shines peach and salmon
The icy forget-me-nots bloom between the lattice
Quiet and golden light rings alarm to the flowers
Stirred only by breeze or the jump of a cricket

The feral cats come out to play the game
They kick a pinecone until the light wanes

Crabgrass grows long enough to catch the wind
To whistle a soft tone as the blades bow down
There's an everlasting rustle of every small thing
Ladybugs meandering and chiggers chewing

The game goes on under the buggy rumble
The cats play ball as it all turns jungle

Prompt: "Ryan’s poem invites us to imagine the “music” of a place without people in it. So today, try writing a poem that describes a place, particularly in terms of the animals, plants or other natural phenomena there. Sink into the sound of your location, and use a conversational tone. Incorporate slant rhymes (near or off-rhymes, like “angle” and “flamenco”) into your poem. And for an extra challenge – don’t reference birds or birdsong!"

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