Winnowings | Adrienne Stevenson

Scattered seeds caress the ground
stalks wither in harvest's wake
breezes blow the chaff around

—it swirls, then falls without sound
uncaptured by the reaper's rake
scattered seeds caress the ground

Silent gleaners then are found
scraping to ease hunger's ache
breezes blow the chaff around

Hungry mouths; eyes opaque
losing hope and ever bound
scattered seeds caress the ground

Greedy misers still abound
they cannot eat all they take
breezes blow the chaff around

Brash philosophers expound
dreams wither; hearts break
scattered seeds caress the ground
breezes blow the chaff around