Poetry Contests Online at The Poetic Link

This Poem was Submitted By: Ellen K Lewis On Date: 2007-03-14 03:40:03 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

To Listen to Music While Reading this Poem, just Click Here!

Click Here To add this poem to your "Voting Possibilities" list!

Ricky Wants A Tractor

All of his life he had sat on those seats from one tractor to another on a truck and in a trailer first with his grandpa and then with his sons he turned the soil with every inch of his soul. He put his heart into it under the hot Kansas sun dug in his heals and stood strong against arid winds in the Colorado rain he poured out his soul within every acre of his land where he worked he grew. He's gone now, to another field where tornados and rattlesnakes won't bother him anymore the acres he's tilled here at home will rest now and he will lay down in that sweet bed he calls Heaven.

Additional Notes:
In Loving Memory of Richard Buster 1952 - 2007....may he always ride high with his 'smiley old self' and let us never forget his sheer determination to 'get 'er done' ....

This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2007-04-02 22:20:15
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.91667
Ellen, Sounds like a farmer.....I've had my lick in raising watermelons. And you have to be a self starter to get er done. Farmers work hard and the pay isnt terrific either. There is so much more than just tilling the soil. Planting,fertilizing, watering, weeding, and picking, lastly harvest. Then selling, delivering. So he deserves a rest. He was a good friend it appears. A part of him resides in you. Hence the memory/poem. So whenever you wish pull him forth and remember how you felt with him. Love memorial..... Dellena

This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2007-04-02 17:06:38
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Ellen, Not knowing who Richard Buster was; I feel that through your write I have come to know another person. You'vew paid a fine tribute to the person of whom you have written, good flow and an easy read, one that kept this reader moving through from first line to last seeking to know more. Best, Lora

This Poem was Critiqued By: James C. Horak On Date: 2007-04-02 16:41:30
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Ellen, purely as a eulogy this is successful, but a little more use of imagery would tend to universalize it more and better represent its delivery poetically. I don't think you would have any difficulty doing this since the subject evidently had qualities inspiring you. The sentiments are there and well brought without pathos. You just might in simile' broaden the reader's vision in illustration. The Man with the Hoe is an extreme example, but going more in a similar direction would add power without sublimation. JCH

This Poem was Critiqued By: Gene Dixon On Date: 2007-04-02 15:30:27
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Ellen - Great portrait in words...exactly what a poem should be ...filled with wonderful imagery and having a soul of its own. Nice work Peace, Gene

This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2007-03-16 15:15:13
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Ellen...this is such a lovely tribute to Richard Buster...I don't actually know who this is and I hope it is not someone I will feel stupid about when you tell me his idenity! Whether I know of him or not makes no matter in how I view this piece. From what you have writen he comes from a long line of farmers or ranchers. I have known many ranchers in my life and I know what a difficult job it is but those that do it are people who love the land. Even when drought or floods kill thier crops or animals they never think of quitting. Their life is in the soil and you have captured their determination in this poem. It is well written and evocative and I wouldn't change anything. Well done. Cheers....Marilyn

This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2007-03-14 05:51:47
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
He will find his tractor in God's Heavenly Garden for sure. Too young to pass on he was this loving memory certainly is a fine tribute to the man. You certainly were able to bring to life with your words images of Richard Buster from the time he was just a lad riding on his grampa's seat........with his own sons.......his love of the land/soil certainly shined through. Enjoyed the last stanza where his faith comes though he will lay down in that sweet bed he calls Heaven. Well done and I am sorry for your loss. God Bless, Claire

Poetry Contests Online at The Poetic Link

Click HERE to return to ThePoeticLink.com Database Page!