ODE TO SHARECROPPER’S-TOILING IN THE COTTON FIELDS

As we begin the cotton seeds are planted in the fertile soil of the fields

When seeds are rooted the cotton plants sprouts up like a blade of grass

Then unwanted weeds and crap grass sprouts up to be removed and yield

This sort of undesirable type of grass stifles the growth of the cotton stalk

Such wanton and stray weeds must be cleared away fast and quick

For the cotton stalk to grow to be fully mature and later ready to be pick

To clear away the stray weeds from around the cotton plant door

The sharecropper utilized a farming tool commonly known as a Hoe

The cotton plant are now fully developed with buds blossoming

Big fluff of cotton are protruding ready to be picked with a bang

The siblings who are the off-springs of Thomas and Mary gang

Ready prepared, and empowered for the how, when and where

Deployed to begin and begat the ordeal the siblings ten are there

Stridently aware of the things that we need not to falter or to plead

The Focus the cognitive we must possess a very strong back

To pick cotton strapped on the shoulder in a 60 pound 20 foot sack

In a slightly bent over posture to pluck the cotton blossomed out

To pick two to three rows, as each hands could carry toss about

Thus constantly struggling and toiling in a sought after arduous task

With focused expectancy to achieve results and celebrate the blast

Most times we needed the tenacity of mustered strength to sustain

Constantly toiling and picking the cotton in ways just to maintain

Cotton was king, as the order of the day-we did so to be in-tune

The dire straights of ten siblings had to ramp up a ton by mid noon

Seemly a familiar sound like an echo from the ‘Grapes of Wrath’

Nevertheless, we lamented and endured to complete the task

Note: Winner of National Poetic Writing Contest 2023

Steve Braxton

Chicago, IL