When I was a kid, it was my job
to shuck the corn, and still now,
I shuck it myself, with no plan
to hand over the task to anyone--
so cathartic, the task of peeling
back, layer by layer, peeking in
for larvae, picking the silk one
strand at a time, singing along
with it may sound funny but you're
always on my mind--oh, this one's
bruised yet I was being so very
careful, the kernels like pretty
pearls, or hearts, damaged already.
Kerry challenged the Real Toads to try the Japanese form Zhuihitsu, kind of a prose poem or essay that usually addresses the impermanence of the material world. Read more about Zhuihitsu in Kerry's essay:
Running the Brush
Surprise! I read this one over on the runaway sentence YouTube channel:
aw, shucks
It's funny that the name of this poem had been on my mind. Our Musikfest (a big street fair in Bethlehem) starts this weekend and they have a stand called "aw shucks" where they sell roasted corn on the cob.
ReplyDeleteI can see how shucking the corn can be almost therapeutic..the peeling a metaphor for ripping away the useless covering to get to the sweet. Sometimes even when we're careful..we hurt the delicate pieces underneath.
Loved it.
This shucks.
ReplyDeleteI have pleasant memories of picking peas and corn with my grandparents.
I so love this!!!!!! Especially the "pretty pearls, or hearts, damaged already". How true!
ReplyDeleteThis brought back summer memories. Shucking the ears of corn used to be my job when i was little; you brought it vividly back to life. Then you made it say more. Wonderful stuff.
ReplyDeleteJust great. Vivid. Nostalgic. Right on. Really lovely. k.
ReplyDeleteThe sense of responsibility for things you can't control is marvelous, even at the heart of a poem about taking peace in mundane things. I think it comes to a head when you say that the kernels are bruised but you already feel responsible.
ReplyDeleteI love this! You make the moment and float at the same time, remembering and doing and seamlessly moving from song to seeing the one in your hand. Wow. It's a contemplative piece, peace.
ReplyDelete...a task I have never really enjoyed and you make it seem so healing. Just lovely.
ReplyDeleteHaving done this task a few times over the past few years now, I cannot say it would be one of my favourite things to do but, you did make it all sound like such a lovely thing. Even singing too. Loved this:' oh, this one's
ReplyDeletebruised yet I was being so very
careful, the kernels like pretty
pearls, or hearts, damaged already.'
Really enjoyed this.
Fun facet on this task.
ReplyDeletei can hear you singing
Do you know that the corn silk in hot water is supposed to be an excellent diuretic?
REally great, the peeking in for larvae caught me --- I need to do that next time,
ReplyDeleteeden
oh good lord you've been eating cornworms this whole time.
DeleteYou did great with the prompt. I still don't understand it. I especially like:
ReplyDeletethe kernels like pretty
pearls, or hearts, damaged already
This is brilliant! The seeming random memory, and the preciseness of the task say much about life - what remains and what dissipates with time.
ReplyDeleteI love the final words - almost tagged on but central to the whole: those hearts damaged already.
I love how everyone has taken this prompt in a different direction and form--truly a running brush, and yours is one of the tighter ones--very incisive but still soft and reminiscent, visual/verbal alchemy.
ReplyDeleteit's like these forms were made for you. seriously.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE peeling corn...so many great memories and I love your mental reel that you've played for us!! So good, Marian!!
ReplyDelete"hearts, damaged already" love that comparison
ReplyDelete:) It's my job to shuck the corn as well - I hated it when I was a kid, but now I enjoy it. So simple, so homey, and at the end... sweet corn!
surely glad everyone likes this one!
ReplyDeleteand reading it in a cornfield on a hot, hot summer day...
what i do for you. :)