Writing about Suckow
This was posted on our blog in 2008; however, since it is now in the archives, it is not easy to find! Marsha has given us permission to post it here.
This was posted on our blog in 2008; however, since it is now in the archives, it is not easy to find! Marsha has given us permission to post it here.
Marsha Lehs wrote a poem about Ruth Suckow that was accepted for publication in Lyrical Iowa, 2008. This s the 63rd Annual Anthology of The Iowa Poetry Association. Http://www.iowapoetry.com
Marsha Lehs wrote a poem about Ruth Suckow that was accepted for publication in Lyrical Iowa, 2008. This s the 63rd Annual Anthology of The Iowa Poetry Association. Http://www.iowapoetry.com
With permission by the poet, here is her poem
With permission by the poet, here is her poem
TO RUTH SUCKOW, IOWA AUTHOR
TO RUTH SUCKOW, IOWA AUTHOR
Your Iowa-based novels sounded dated
Your Iowa-based novels sounded dated
until I read them.
until I read them.
You planted images of early Iowa German families,
You planted images of early Iowa German families,
small town lives, strong quiet farm workers
small town lives, strong quiet farm workers
children forced to grow up fast,
children forced to grow up fast,
characters torn between right and wrong.
characters torn between right and wrong.
You described native flowers, seasons,
You described native flowers, seasons,
crops, rural landscapes,
crops, rural landscapes,
period events and timeless issues.
period events and timeless issues.
Though we were born fifty years apart
Though we were born fifty years apart
these are pages in my life, too
these are pages in my life, too
Your enduring images cycle
Your enduring images cycle
like a reseeding annual flower
like a reseeding annual flower
from one native Iowan to another.
from one native Iowan to another.
Thank you for sharing stories which forever
Thank you for sharing stories which forever
root me in this fertile Iowa loam.
root me in this fertile Iowa loam.
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Last updated March 5, 2021
Last updated March 5, 2021
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