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Friendly Fields of Fire

Friendly Fields of Fire

Early evening falls in a Nova Scotia October
Still warm enough to forgo the sweater, despite Mom's insistence
But her legs must be covered up
Protecting the scabs so carefully collected
In a short but sweltering summer time.

She peddles for all she's worth
Knees pumping, up, down, up, down, hair flying
The wild flames of autumn hot on her heels
Over a beaten path of ocean smoothed pebbles
Scent of smokey twilight in the air.

Her imagined finish line never appears
The checkered flag will never wave in her unending marathon
Her energy will last forever, or at least until bedtime
When hot cocoa and toast will send her to dreamland
Vibrant little Blue Noser, racing through friendly fields of fire.

Larry Matthews Photo

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Brian Miller said…
smiles. this took me back to days when the bike took us on so many adventures...and a nice bed time ritual too! i want some cocoa
April 15, 2011 at 4:35 PM
Pat Hatt said…
Yes isn't it always funny how were told to put a coat or sweater on, but never do..haha...another nice little read about NS.
April 15, 2011 at 9:26 PM
Anonymous said…
Beuatiul end of summer-turning-into autumn imagery and a window glimpse of childhood. I absolutely love the line 'the wild flames of autumn hot on her heels', and your water and fire imagery work so well together. But, for all the atumnal beauty and youthful energy, I'm troubled and saddened by the last stanza, as the words, though they match the beauty and feel of the poem, take on other meanings and add much weight to your imagery. Fields of fire particularly has negative connotations, and her imagined finish line is both hopeful and sad at the same time, depending on one's temporal view. A glimpse of both childhood and energetic hope remembered, colored by time through glass blades of fields of fire, indeed. Beautiful and deceptively deep.
April 18, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Unknown said…
I can imagine the dust and laughter, and I dig that I'm transported to the moment of the poem. Good work!
April 28, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Larry Matthews said…
Loved this Tasha You are so gifted.
October 4, 2012 at 6:22 PM
emmett wheatfall said…
Natasha, I'm speechless. You've captured the essence of your giftedness in this a most special poem. Isn't it amazing how the things we love, like our child or children, bring out the best in us. This a special gift. Fold it away, then give it to her on her wedding day. Maybe she'll pass it on to her daughter someday, right after hot cocoa and toast before bedtime. A most beautiful poem my friend. Most beautiful!
October 4, 2012 at 6:44 PM
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