When we were behind the plow,
working portions on another man’s land,
we thought we understood the situation,
our dream a piece of ground for ourselves.
We worked our tail off for that quarter section
and then came taxes and we were forced to wonder.
My Pa fought the first war in France
and me the second, walking in his tracks.
We sent you to Vietnam and your kid to Iraq.
Now they’re ginning up a reprise.
Are you getting the picture here?
Once you decide not to lie and steal
there’s only the hard road
and it don’t lead to glory.
Your Ma believed in Jesus
and I guess I do too
but not the way she does.
I don’t mind having a friend in the fight.
Your boy never saw a pair of overalls
but he’s still working iron and mud,
in it up to his knees.
You think of me six feet down
but I’m not far gone;
thought I’d let you know
you’ve got to stand fast.
If you don’t, well, that’s your worry.
That great grandson of mine,
do your best to keep him out of the mud.
There’s high ground somewhere
and he’s worth all you got.
Reading of “Working Iron” with music by Scrapper Blackwell
Nice change…….
The poignant truth is “you have got to stand”…thanks, Don!
Generations of cultic masses struggle for supremacy under the influence of greed and fear with faint hope of lasting resolution for any. Who will turn the other cheek to look another way?
Spectacular “grit,” Don — hauled-up from the very core of your earthly soul.
Couldn’t honor your journey more, nor be more grateful that you choose to share it with all of us!
Don, when you assemble the “best of the poems” someday, this one will be an easy choice for prime space. Trouble is that the other poems, so good they are, will have to be compared and will have to compete for inclusion with this star.
~ I have a ruthless and bold Saber made from the “high ground” that cuts clean and fast as I stand in the unflinching strength of the truth of my grace ~
Have to add my appreciation for this talking poem Don. It speaks to me too. Iron takes many forms through the ages, a grasping for the unbreakable, but which ends up breaking human forms. Looking the other way is indeed what is calling. Thanks.
I love the earthiness of this poem and the generational story. My ancestors were coal miners and railroad folks, and I a carpenter. I have nothing to show for all the hard work except a heart of gold, and that’s another story..
Yes! “There IS high ground somewhere and it’s worth all you got!” So very true for all of us. Fun that you’ve mixed up your style and voice here. Love your creativity and insights!
I come from proud people who fought for democracy in Costa Rica……..I remember hearing the awful sound of bullets seeking targets. The greed of power breaks my heart! We must seek higher ground! This graphic poem, Don, speaks loudly! “You have to stand!”
Our blood isn’t rich, red and powerful without iron.
Powerfully told generational story – you are a master of insight and delivery.
I appreciate the earthy tone of this and that it carries a real message just as the image in its bright muscular way supports the poem, so to does the poem support the message. Thanks , it grabs the attention.
there’s a bit of the revolutionary 60’s in this one. Like Bob Dylan, and Sting … its very easy to like. The “stand” is close and personal, and need not be politicised. It is too easy to lose my compass, in a crowd. It is mostly about saying no to my own urges when I identify fear is the underlying motivation. Here’s a song that came to mind … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI4H9rE6MHU
Beautifully evoked, impactful ending.
Masterful poem. What’s curious to me is what’s not said. Something lurks behind the words ‘..hard road- it don’t always lead to glory’. Rich.
Don — I love this one! Great idea & a wonderful message sent.