The Daily: 15 November 2023

Wednesday Word

for 15 November 2023

cull

You can respond in the comments below or go visit the All Poetry contest for November. Your response can be anything made from words. I love poetry, but anything can be poetic and you needn’t even be limited to poetics. An observation, a story, a thought. Might even be an image — however, I am not a visual person, so it has to work harder to convey meaning. In the spirit of word prompts, it’s best if you use the word; but I’m not even a stickler about that. Especially if you can convey the meaning without ever touching the word.

If responding on All Poetry, you are limited to the forms of that medium, though my contests are fairly open as to form. However, if you have something long, post it in the comments below. That said, please don’t go too long. Keep it under 2000 words. I’m not going to count, but I’m also not promising to read a novel.

Unless it’s really good!

If you have nothing to say, that’s fine. I know you all are busy and distracted. But if you’ve read this far, then I’ve made you think about… cull.

they sleep-walk through streets
shambling rambles
along the brownstones and towers
rimming hours
between harvest and hunter
with platitudes for gratitude
and no thankfulness
to fill the belly
and the dogs cut
lambs from ewes
calves from cows
mother from child
while wild winds
rip hearts from bodies
deemed worthless
sundering
the all that is wondering life
from what is of profit
to none in this house
they come with grasping hands
gasping ragged breath
bereft lungs in the smokey air
sharing last meals
amongst strangers
for what is it to be
and to be of benefit
to these they do not see
the herds are culled
in this fall
and we cry to no-one
as our children
march willingly
into the waiting jaws

©Elizabeth Anker 2023