My Generation
It’s cherries to have been born
into the most powerful country,
white and male, comfortably
middle class, never made
to work the fields
at five years old picking the ready crop,
scrub clothes along the riverside,
or put our tender hearts
through the meat grinder of war,
to have pissed in the stream,
cooked the crawdad alive,
pulled our compadres
from the top of the hill —
storm clouds roiling
the blunt horizon —
to have claimed the summit
as if we owned the thing.
23 thoughts on "My Generation"
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Thank you all for the kind comments and for sharing your own wonderful words. It’s been such an enjoyable month — until next year, Cheers!
“the meat grinder” – perfect way to describe war. Another really great poem! See you next month! And next year!
Great voice. And a coincidental continuation of a conversation with another poet last night.
Yes, we are. And oh! to be alive in this time and see Bill Brymer Sculpt and paint and muse and muddle.
It has been a pleasure sir.
As has been reading your poems, Coleman. Love your take on this world.
YES. I put my hand on my chest while reading that line.
you write the best kind of political poetry
Thank you Gaby. See you next year!
it’s cherries
and I’ve really enjoyed your poems, Bill. You’re an excellent poet
Thank you, Mike. Really appreciate that. I’ve enjoyed yours too. Have a great rest of your summer.
“blunt horizon” Love that word combo.
The word “cherries” so unique!
I have so deeply enjoyed reading your writings. As I said before, your style sucks me into the read every single time. Story-telling images and flow.
And reading your poems allowed me to step out of the box I put myself in (hmm maybe I’ll use this line today? haha).
Excited for next year!
Use that line! Thanks, Mary — glad we’ve connected through poems, yours and mine.
Wonderful, Bill. I’m fascinated by the way you break the pattern of the couplets near the end, which makes that blunt horizon land so profoundly. Bravo as always.
Thank you Kevin, I appreciate the comment. I was going for a thud there, glad it delivered.
I am your biggest fan. 🙂
Oh, stop! It’s hard for me to conceive of having a fan. But I appreciate it. Appreciate all your thoughtful comments this month. Thank you!
your striking art
speaks for itself.
the last line of this
evokes my age race
gender’s presumption
Of Privilege
Thanks. See ya next year.
Thanks, Jim. That’s what I was hoping to convey in this one. Appreciate the comments during the month. Big admirer of your poems.
Wow – this poem packs a punch. Thank so much for sharing such wonderful poetry this month!
Enjoyed reading all of your poems of vision, imagery and emotion. Thanks for sharing! Till next year!
“To have claimed the summit
as if we owned the thing.”
Such a perfect description of the arrogance of man. You nailed it, Bill. Great job. Great month!
I’ve enjoyed reading your work as well, Bill!! Thanks for your kind words on mine. This community is such a great space for generating new work.
Shew Bill! This poem is perfect. I’ve enjoyed so much your thoughtful and compelling poems this month!
“It’s cherries” is a perfect way to establish the tone here. I’ve really enjoyed your work this month!