Entre moos

At the Columbia County Fair in Chatham, NY, you can see young 4-H'ers proudly display their prize animals, which are sometimes cows five times their size. But is it hard to raise an animal from birth and then give it up because it has been raised for sale to breeders or for food? Today's blog considers these thoughts, with some captivating photos, at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Bonding

These are the eyes
that pulled mine out of the stable
trance that held your mother
shivering in the stall --
when you arrived you were all
I could see or raise a thought
to care about.
Now big and brown and fine,
you strip me of the willingness
to harm any of your kind.
I lead you down this dappled lane
and it seems a league of shame,
though I'm so proud of you --
and I acknowledge our bond
must be severed
in the end.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Talk to the animals

An interesting aside: two of Chatham Alpaca farm's denizens having a little "confab" across a fence inspire some questions about the nature and content of animal communication. Photos and commentary at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Always greener

Does it shamble
after amble where you are?
Does the thin protruding foil
of tinctured leaves
meet your feet with equal
propinquity?
or is it only me who trembles
just a bit where greenness
tills the grass?
It should be familiar
as the skin we're in by now,
but sometimes when the dew-slugs
slicken in glossy rows,
and the glow slinks low past the furze,
isn't this a delicious place
to be alive?
Is yours so green as mine?

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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From Peru to you

A visit to Chatham Alpacas of Chatham, NY, leads to some thoughts on the raising of exotic animals and the cuteness of large ruminants. For some special photos and discussion, go to blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Transplant

It grows cold here
part of the year;
and at times the sweet grass
is almost golden
with sudden sun --
it strikes across the field
at such an angle.
And it feels easy,
almost natural to run,
the trim Hudson breeze sifting
aimlessly over silky spun
September coats.
How odd and yet
how perfectly at peace:
you never knew Peru.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Pump it up

A lot of New England is still fending off the floodwaters of Hurricane Irene. We share some images of the rising tides and some thoughts on a few words President Obama might like to share with the residents of Paterson, NJ, when he visits. Photos and text at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Persistence

Much in the way
a slag stump
stands in the tide
and will not give over;
much in the way
the sharp-angled jet
of a wayward stone
takes years to overthrow
with courses of whet and billows
of white thrashings;
like these our haggard days
lash themselves to the mast
and chide the storm.
We furl and thicken
in the christening wind,
and will not give over.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Amazingrace

Somehow, it seems almost inappropriate that it is always so beautiful to look at the world after a major storm. But despite the damage and devastation, the challenges of cleaning up, there is a freshness and a newness already imbued by the weather and the water, not to mention the collective efforts of people shouldering together to do their very best. For some amazing photos and more thoughts, read blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Benign

Credible signs
partition the air,
and we consider them fair --
delight, in fact, in their light
espousal of a point of view
outside of our own.
There is rain,
and then the sun
creates this magic act --
surely that's all it can form
after all that's been borne.
Rivers dash upon the rocks,
slap us naked upon the tree,
and still we howl for more,
because in the end
it was for the good.
The waters deepen --
all that's left is mist,
rising and cooling
credible signs
all for the good.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Road warrior

From a "dip in the road" that's a lot bigger than a "private cul-de-sac," today's blogpost takes you to a spot outside Johnsonville, NY to survey some raucous road damage left by Hurricane Irene. What makes people turn daredevil when a natural disaster hits? Think about it and see striking new photos at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Fraying

I

When the ends sweat out
and nothing else is left,
carbon keeps for no man --
this road is a toothmark
on navigation's ear.

II

Can't you hear me
boss? We can't drive here
anymore.
Look at the imprint;
like a scuddy maple leaf, it is,
or the curse of half a mind,
I tell you, it's not right,
it's not.

III

You serious, man? See those trees?
They went right under there,
started their own team.
And now; I mean it --
nothing is left, man.
Tooka bearchunk right outta roadhide.
But when the ends sweat out
and nothing else is left,
where will you be glass for me --
it's fraying up in here --
all the words are wrapped up
in one cord --
this would be you.
Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Somewhere down that crazy river...

Scenes of Northern New Jersey -- the Ramapo River -- at flood stage -- a little barge, wrecked upon the isle. Hurricane Irene did a world of damage: did we underestimate her power to hurt us? Take a look and think about these questions at blog.amynelsonhahn.info -- yep, we're baaaack!

Wrack

upon the shore,
just the last passing
vesicle and vestige
of a remaining leniency.
Nothing is spared
or gained anymore
by looking here
at a cubist demise;
only a brief entanglement,
only a ferrous-flavored
acknowledgement --
a bit between the teeth
of distraught --
the true power overtakes us,
makes us matchsticks
and leaves us on these rocks
for all to see.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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