New Strength to Live

Your hand caresses my cheek

Your fingers, burnt gold from Summer's labors,

Reach deep into my past

To memories of long ago

I remember working in my father's garden

We toiled through days

Together detasseling two types of corn

Placing those differing flowery silks in rows together

Then covering them over with earth

We nourished those channels

My father and I

With water, labor and with love

Watching the new stalks that would rise so strong

They called it heterosis

Those tillers of the fields

From whom we learned of nature's ways

The blending of the strong with the strong

Producing what would become a hardier blend

Oh, the taste of that corn was sweeter than wine

Their stalks rose tall in the noonday sun

Now, as we lie here together

In another field

In another time

I feel your soft touch and embrace your gaze

Yes, your hand is strong

And your light on me a shining sun

Projecting great warmth upon my face

Now doubled together with this newly formed strength

We forge a new creation

Reminding me anew of all that is real

All that is remembered

And of all that shall be

Now brought to it's blissful harmony

In an everlasting rhythm

Of new birth and love

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Laura Bailey  -  07/31/15