TheTraveler
Gorilla
Glory of the Leaf (Jonathan, aka TheTraveler, 9-12-08)
-----------------------------------------------------
Long boxes of earth
Loam, a pleasure to the nose
Now ready for seed
Fieldman plants with care
Hiding gently in the earth
Cotton covering
Now Fieldman must wait
Hopes for a bounteous year
Patience now his law
----------------------------
Namesake dwells on past
Sits on father's veranda
Surveys his domain
Mist blankets the fields
Hills and valleys rich, dark brown
Nearly ready now
A thought comes to him
New vitola, a new blend
Father would be proud
----------------------------
Master roller works
Watching those who just now learn
An art to preserve
Proud of skill and craft
Pleasant scent of aged tobak
Leaves roll in his hands
He smiles as he works
Lays another on the bench
Countless has he made
**********************
**********************
Vigil rewarded
The first delicate green shoot
Face splits with a grin
Fieldman looks to Spring
New season is being birthed
Rejoice and prepare
Relish in his work
Happiness no limit knows
Noble, ancient craft
----------------------------
Namesake walks the fields
Sunset casts the long shadows
Coolness now descends
Long, low plants in rows
Green and brown, farmer's palette
Fresh with newfound life
Peaceful valleys sleep
Crickets sing a lullaby
Namesake feels content
----------------------------
Master roller stands
Stretching, tired at the day's end
Ready for his bed
In the mists they come
New vitola, a new blend
Fateful dream he sees
Suddenly awake
Full moon in a sullen sky
No more sleep tonight
**********************
**********************
Summer sun beats down
Lush green fields blanket the hills
Vibrant and alive
Weather is perfect
No summer ever better
Rains fall right on time
This is vintage year
No crop ever grew this well
Fieldman understands
----------------------------
Heat of summer now
On the veranda he smokes
Thinking on his life
Namesake looks ahead
This year's leaves will be legend
His father would smile
Hopes and dreams surge up
Pride, family, ambition
He stands on a peak
----------------------------
Work must continue
Dreams are for the young, not him
Pushing the dreams aside
Watching and training
One apprentice stands alone
Some day may follow
Master roller works
Still with relishment and joy
Dreams he can't forget
**********************
**********************
Summer at an end
Work is at a fever pitch
Leaves must be brought in
Care and diligence
No damage is countenanced
Smiles and sweat abound
Barns are nearly full
Bounty, beauty, perfect crop
Fieldman smiles and rests
----------------------------
Silence and stillness
Heavy perfume on the air
He paces his barns
Wind he hears outside
Gentle creaking of the boards
Rustle in the leaves
These will age ten years
New line made to honor dead
Decision is made
----------------------------
Ancient stands with young
Master roller, apprentice
Dreams are remembered
Passing on his skills
Apprentice, eager, ready
Master roller smiles
All the rollers watch
Jealousy, pride, happiness
Young man takes his place
**********************
**********************
**********************
**********************
Fieldman walks his rows
This year's work won't hold his mind
Thoughts of ten years past
Namesake sits alone
Memories flooding his mind
Time heavy on him
Master roller rests
Smoking, watching apprentice
The young one is skilled
----------------------------
Now the time has come
Aging, fermenting are done
New line will be made
Namesake gathers them
Master roller and Fieldman
Smoke and talk all night
Master roller speaks
Mist, moon, dreams, new vitola
Fieldman, Namesake smile
----------------------------
New name must be made
Honor to the live and dead
Family name upheld
New flavor and spice
Rich loam, sweet air, gentle rain
Abundant sunshine
For their legacy
A new name is now chosen
Glory Of The Leaf
-----------------------------------------------------
Long boxes of earth
Loam, a pleasure to the nose
Now ready for seed
Fieldman plants with care
Hiding gently in the earth
Cotton covering
Now Fieldman must wait
Hopes for a bounteous year
Patience now his law
----------------------------
Namesake dwells on past
Sits on father's veranda
Surveys his domain
Mist blankets the fields
Hills and valleys rich, dark brown
Nearly ready now
A thought comes to him
New vitola, a new blend
Father would be proud
----------------------------
Master roller works
Watching those who just now learn
An art to preserve
Proud of skill and craft
Pleasant scent of aged tobak
Leaves roll in his hands
He smiles as he works
Lays another on the bench
Countless has he made
**********************
**********************
Vigil rewarded
The first delicate green shoot
Face splits with a grin
Fieldman looks to Spring
New season is being birthed
Rejoice and prepare
Relish in his work
Happiness no limit knows
Noble, ancient craft
----------------------------
Namesake walks the fields
Sunset casts the long shadows
Coolness now descends
Long, low plants in rows
Green and brown, farmer's palette
Fresh with newfound life
Peaceful valleys sleep
Crickets sing a lullaby
Namesake feels content
----------------------------
Master roller stands
Stretching, tired at the day's end
Ready for his bed
In the mists they come
New vitola, a new blend
Fateful dream he sees
Suddenly awake
Full moon in a sullen sky
No more sleep tonight
**********************
**********************
Summer sun beats down
Lush green fields blanket the hills
Vibrant and alive
Weather is perfect
No summer ever better
Rains fall right on time
This is vintage year
No crop ever grew this well
Fieldman understands
----------------------------
Heat of summer now
On the veranda he smokes
Thinking on his life
Namesake looks ahead
This year's leaves will be legend
His father would smile
Hopes and dreams surge up
Pride, family, ambition
He stands on a peak
----------------------------
Work must continue
Dreams are for the young, not him
Pushing the dreams aside
Watching and training
One apprentice stands alone
Some day may follow
Master roller works
Still with relishment and joy
Dreams he can't forget
**********************
**********************
Summer at an end
Work is at a fever pitch
Leaves must be brought in
Care and diligence
No damage is countenanced
Smiles and sweat abound
Barns are nearly full
Bounty, beauty, perfect crop
Fieldman smiles and rests
----------------------------
Silence and stillness
Heavy perfume on the air
He paces his barns
Wind he hears outside
Gentle creaking of the boards
Rustle in the leaves
These will age ten years
New line made to honor dead
Decision is made
----------------------------
Ancient stands with young
Master roller, apprentice
Dreams are remembered
Passing on his skills
Apprentice, eager, ready
Master roller smiles
All the rollers watch
Jealousy, pride, happiness
Young man takes his place
**********************
**********************
**********************
**********************
Fieldman walks his rows
This year's work won't hold his mind
Thoughts of ten years past
Namesake sits alone
Memories flooding his mind
Time heavy on him
Master roller rests
Smoking, watching apprentice
The young one is skilled
----------------------------
Now the time has come
Aging, fermenting are done
New line will be made
Namesake gathers them
Master roller and Fieldman
Smoke and talk all night
Master roller speaks
Mist, moon, dreams, new vitola
Fieldman, Namesake smile
----------------------------
New name must be made
Honor to the live and dead
Family name upheld
New flavor and spice
Rich loam, sweet air, gentle rain
Abundant sunshine
For their legacy
A new name is now chosen
Glory Of The Leaf