Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • On Being a Writer
      • Media Kit
  • Speaking
    • Book Ann as a Guest on Your Show
  • Podcast
  • Courses
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Work With Me

July 2, 2013 16 Comments

Field Hands: A Poem

SweetPotatoes-2

Field Hands

My father asks me why I’m so dirty.
I say it’s because I played in the field with Becky.
I won’t tell him I worked from two until suppertime
helping pick potatoes with the Hammons in their field.

I won’t tell him how warm and rich the earth was
when Mr. Hammons plowed through, leaving dry ripples
for us to dig our hands in to fish for potatoes.
Or how we picked up six-inch worms and threw them at each other,
while tossing potatoes into ratty bushel baskets.

I like going home with limp hair,
stringy from the summer wind,
and a film of dust on my arms and legs.
When my mom asks me to wash the dishes,
I’ll say I’m too tired.

© 1992 Ann Kroeker

(As my friend Nancy Franson embarks on a Tweetspeak poetry dare, I am sharing this poem originally penned in 1987 or 1988, then modified slightly in 1992.)

Filed Under: poetry, writing Tagged With: potato poem, potatoes, work poem

Comments

  1. Nancy Franson says

    July 2, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    You’re right. It’s not about the potatoes. But it’s lovely. I don’t know why it is, or how your poet brain structures these images in such a way that brings out their loveliness, but I certainly recognize the beauty.

    Baby steps here; baby steps.

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      July 2, 2013 at 1:13 pm

      It’s been a long time since I’ve regularly penned poetry, yet it was my entree into writing. In college, most of my peers grew up in cities and suburbs, so when I started including rural themes in my work, the instructor and students grew intensely interested, hanging on every word, curious about every hay bale, every tadpole, every pony ride, every potato. I should write again, perhaps, keeping with the rural Midwestern themes?

      Reply
      • Megan Willome says

        July 2, 2013 at 4:18 pm

        Yes! That’s an excellent idea!

        And I love this poem. In addition to the rural stuff, it’s also got great themes of childhood & distancing yourself from your parents (too tired to wash the dishes, not too tired to dig potatoes all day with your friend).

        More potato poems!

        Reply
        • annkroeker says

          July 2, 2013 at 4:26 pm

          I remember my college instructor saying it says much about the nature of work vs. play and work *as* play.

          Reply
  2. Elisa says

    July 2, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    Thanks for sharing your poem, Ann and for linking to the poetry dare; what a wonderful idea! I’m sharing links to tweetspeak over at my blog (forthcoming post).

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      July 2, 2013 at 4:02 pm

      So glad you stopped by, Elisa! I’ll watch for your post.

      Reply
  3. Sandra Heska King says

    July 2, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    Love this! I’m thinking I’d be inclined to say I’d been playing in the field, too–rather than I actually had fun working.

    Yes, you should write more. I haven’t written any poetry for a while, either, and it was never all that good. But I’m thinking I should try again…

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      July 2, 2013 at 9:45 pm

      Let’s do it!

      Reply
  4. laural says

    July 2, 2013 at 9:44 pm

    You are so naughty. But now you will be found out! Does your mom read your blog?

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      July 2, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      Oh, Mom knows. She knew then. She knew when I first published the poem. And she knows now that my kids do the same thing–they’ll help a friend clean a closet or wash dishes, but try getting them to pitch in around here? They’re…”too tired.” 🙂

      Reply
  5. Janis@Open My Ears Lord says

    July 2, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    Enjoyed the the scenery of this poem and the message that it related–although I don’t like thinking that my kids always had more fun doing work at someone else’s house rather than at home. But I guess I’m in good company.
    Blessings,
    Janis

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      July 2, 2013 at 11:00 pm

      Thank you for taking time to read, Janis, and comment. Why is it more fun to work hard helping others, but boring and tiring to do basic chores at home? I think I feel a little that way as an adult! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Dolly@Soulstops says

    July 3, 2013 at 4:12 pm

    Hi Ann,
    Visiting from Nancy’s post…what a delightful poem 🙂

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      July 3, 2013 at 5:52 pm

      Dolly, I’m delighted you stopped by–thank you for reading, and commenting.

      Reply
  7. Hazel Moon says

    July 3, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    SO Great, and so like a young girl. Helping a neighbor – but then I can just see her refusing to do the dishes.

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      July 3, 2013 at 5:54 pm

      Teen girls. {sigh} I was one, and now I’m a parent to three.

      Actually, it’s fine. And when they say they’re too tired, I can relate; and if I can’t remember, I have this poem to remind me that I was once too tired, as well.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

Providing you with resources and inspiration to be more curious, creative, and productive.

Ad - SiteGround Web Hosting - Crafted for easy site management. Amazing Speed; Powerful Tools; Top-rated support. Learn more.
Make Your Sentences Sing: 7 Sentence Openers to Add Music to Your Prose (Mini Course from Ann Kroeker.Teachable.com)
TWL-100-best-websites-2016-2-300x300

Archives

Categories

Ann Kroeker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Not every link leads to compensation, but assume that each does.
© 2006-2022 Ann Kroeker All Rights Reserved

instagram twitter facebook pinterest

Landing page graphic and other design elements by Sophie Kroeker.

Privacy Policy · Copyright © 2023

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNoRead more
Revoke Cookies