Corn Poem by Jimi Doyle

first the seed

...in March the muffle cover of snow disappears
and good Illinois soil emits
from moment to moment
all the aromas of the history of the earth

then the shoot

...in April with each rain grows stronger
in May as thick as a doe's leg
in June stronger still and green

then the ear

...as June is July as tall as the boy
who rides in the tractor
in August all children work at de-tassling
'til the end of long days now golden and rose

then the kerrnel

...August bakes away
and September on the coolness of evening
is harvest
the monstrous combine gleans
all the cobs
and screens
fodder for forage forever