Rose

While the asterisk meant repetition 

so did the work seem endless 

binary was all I could think 

a little laugh, till the pulsation in my arms 

would last through the nights

by the third night 

you'd finally stop crying 

I always wondered what kept her going

always able to whip us as a group

even if the men led

this beautiful woman still took lead

by the time we came half way across our fields 

she had already turned at the three acre point

four rows on each side and headed for home 

i could have sworn she left weeds behind

even when we checked 

as kids in dismay would

clean rows, were all she left to show

Up at 3am and out by 4

so many to work and out her doors

always under her wing 

with a table incircled by nightfall

Not one plate scarce of food 

Held it together under one roof 

an ode to women named Rose 

 

 

 

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