In homage to those who provided food to us all, especially during the pandemic.
By Hiram Larew
But even after all of this
farmers keep farming
for every one of us
They bend the sun
and raise the earth
each day for us
They round each rough
and tamp down these fears
for each of us
Yes after all of this
They’re the hope of life for us
And even after all of this
the baggers stackers sorters drivers checkers
field workers and grocery store sweepers too
are here for us
Like bowls of life
they give us each our every day
and so renew that sense of trust for us
And even after all of this
and just as much
are those who volunteer to serve the soup
The ones who help and give and care
on our behalf
Their hands and hearts
shape our thanks —
No matter what else happens
they are life itself for us
And yes even after all of this
These days seem like furrowed fields to us —
with darkest shadows across the view
but also with
rows on rows of green
that grin wide and new
just like those who stand and wave
with bread in hand
for each of us
through all of this
This poem first appeared on the Poetry X Hunger website.
About Hiram Larew
Larew holds a PhD in Entomology from OSU and is award-winning published poet. His Poetry X Hunger initiative, with support from the United Nations and others, encourages poets to contribute to local and worldwide anti-hunger efforts. HiramLarewPoetry.com