Remembering a Great Poet

This is one of the poems by the late poet, Mary Harper Sowell. She was a dear friend as well as a cousin to me. We attended many poetry workshops as members of Poets’ Roundtable of Arkansas. From her, I learned how to write sonnets as well as many other poetry patterns. She was the queen of iambic pentameter. This one is the Miltonic Sonnet.

OZARK ROOTS

by Mary Harper Sowell

Old Tree, with thickened limb and gnarled root,
We are so much alike. There’s no mistake
Our stubborn Ozark roots grow deep and make
Our faith that God protects us resolute.
From watching you I have become astute.
You’ve taught me how to bend and not to break
When ill winds cause my feeble limbs to ache
Through storm succeeding storm in quick pursuit.
I feel affinity with you today.
I see our sapling children gathered near
Where you are standing, tall and proud and strong.
When I am gone I know that you will stay,
Enriching lives of my descendants here
With sheltering arms and sermons in your song.