A Geography of Endurance Day 1
Ksh-grrrrit… Thooop. Ksh-grrrrit… Thooop.
I was digging for words between us.
My shoulders tightened
with every jolt the earth hurled back.
Ksh-grrrrit… Thooop. Ksh-grrrrit… Thooop.
The air thickened between clamshell and ground.
Each strike pulled more suction—
the dirt grabbing back, unwilling to release.
Ksh-grrrrit… Thooo-oop. Ksh-grrrrit… Thooo-oop.
I spread the handles wide as a wishbone,
the earth molds itself shut.
Gravel scrapes the blade’s tip.
No instructions, only resistance.
The ground yields to steel
but rarely to agreement.
Ksh-grrrrit… Thooop. Ksh-grrrrit… Thooop.
I am putting up fences
to keep you away.
Ksh-grrrrit… Thooo-oop.
Ksh-grrrrit… Thooo-oop.
33 thoughts on "A Geography of Endurance Day 1"
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
This is a really interesting way to describe a relationship
I’m honored you think so!
Tension builds incredibly throughout this poem, driven by the sound effects smartly repeated. There is motion and mission, a goal we want to support the speaker in. Very nice work.
I love that description—’There is motion and mission.’ Wow, thank you! Also, hurry up and post—I’ve refreshed your page like three times in the last 30 minutes lol.
I agree with Philip Corley— you build the tension perfectly with this poem. It moves with precision and intention. Beautiful start to the month!
I’m relieved to hear that. I went back and forth so many times on what to lead with.
Great title, and the subtitle.
” boundary work” sets this up so perfecrly….this felt so strong and liminal and then the fences.
Bravo poet, Great work
Thanks Coleman, I always appreciate your insight!
Interesting, funny metaphor for the construction of a relationship. Some relationships do require a lot of shoveling the gravel, eh Jeremy?
Btw I’m happy you’re using my photo of you. Handsome fella!
Relationships can be labor-some and boundaries are important. Kevin, thank you, It’s a great shot!
an earthy poem with overt and covert longing (“wide as a wishbone”
Oh wow, this is such a smart read of the poem. I’m really honored you picked up on the layers of longing in it — especially that wishbone moment. Thank you for taking the time to sit with it.
Yikes! You are back with a punch. Great interplay of word and sound, “I was digging for words between us.” – yes!
I’m so happy to hear it was the right opener, thank you!
Yep
writing the right
words is like using
a post hole digger,
great digging here
Thanks Jim!
This is a very artistic painting of a relationship.
Very appreciative of you reading John!
Such a clever poem, Jeremy, and such wisdom. “The ground yields to steel / but rarely to agreement.” Very nice.
Thank you Bill!
My two absolute favorite lines are “I was digging for words between us” and “I am putting up fences to keep you away”. There’s so much motion and emotion, and this mysterious quality from gaining tid bits of information throughout. It builds and it kept my attention well!
I worked really hard on not over explaining in my recent writings and trusting the reader more. I’m glad you had such a good experience reading it. Thank you for letting me know.
This is such an apt description. I can feel the angst.
Stefani, I’m glad you felt it. I am looking forward to reading more of your poetry this year.
Love the sounds of and repeat of: Ksh-grrrrit… Thooop. Ksh-grrrrit… Thooop and all between the repeat.
Fav line: I was digging for words between us.
Thank you Pam!
I enjoyed how the repetitive onomatopoeia created such a wonderful heartbeat of— endurance!
Thinking of it as a heartbeat is a fun way to read it. Thank you Michele.
Jeremy, what a wonderful choice of words to convery sound and sweat!
Whew!! As one who has worked on healthy boundary setting for many years, I can greatly appreciate this.
Build those fences, but just not everywhere and not too high 😉
Very clever and intriguing!
Wow. There was so much creative description of doing the job, it was almost palpable. And then the conclusion landed, it caught me totally off guard. Very well written, Jeremy!
I was going to copy and paste the lines that resonated with me most, but that would have meant copying and pasting the whole poem! Fantastic metaphor that is deeply felt.
I am putting up fences
to keep you away.
There’s the gut punch! And I love the sensory details in this poem. Well done!