October 19, 2011

• Oh the mighty soybean!

  In my poetry class this week we were asked to write a poem.  It has to be either a sonnet, a sestina or a villanelle.  This is like a totally impossible thing for me.  I don’t write inside the box. I don’t do anything inside of any box.  I have been struggling with women’s lit and feminist theory and having to explicate poetry using specific theories just because someone says so. Having to write a poem, something that I ordinarily for pleasure as the muse inspires, with a list of rules was a daunting task.  My family of course has been more than supportive of everything that I have had to do.  My husband has been indescribable.  He simply assumes that anything that I am assigned I can not only do but do with the greatest of ease (how I wish that were true!). 

  This morning I read an essay about poetry and ambition which really struck a chord.  So I took my notebook outside and cleared my mind.  I said a prayer that I would be inspired to write something and what follows is a rough draft of my sonnet.  Whoever heard of writing about soybeans, I don’t know but that is what the muse inspired me with so that’s what came forth.  The rhymes are weak but they work and the syllable counts are off, but this is my offering so far.

   

  Soybean Sonnet

  Gold bands stretch as far as the eye can see,

  precious as any metal beneath the earth.

  Mined not with ax as these used to be.

  No, this gold is more gently laid in its berth;

  drawn away to be sifted and to weigh.

  Bright jewels through thieves fingers the bounty runs;

   packed and stored for an uncertain day.

  Lock up the treasure of summer’s golden suns.

  But this gold is not worn, not kept unseen,

  this treasure is for feed, fuel and to bless.

  Every year renewed that powerful bean.

  Enough for all many more, no excess.

       So long as rains fall and sun does shine.

       That long will grow the golden bean benign.

  • 11:56 am
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