I always wanted to write
a poem you would approve of
but I didn't want to ask permission
so built up inside me
back waters could not flow
a constructed dam on a mountaintop
the illusion of perfection
the pond was stocked with rainbows
the valley filled with family farms
little purple flowers grew
can I live in this valley
will the dam not hold will we all drown
can we swim while holding hands
cool water
hot sun
we're treading
water so clear, the illusion I can touch bottom
will my valley sustain us, can we build a boat
can we try and see
if we sink we'll learn to breathe like fish
and wear our gills held high
shall I take that endless risk
what will life be like?
will my valley recover
will wet earth be suitable for housing
shall I trust some miracle
will produce a valley reinvigorated
a homestead we can share
we'll thrive on growing cucumbers
and raise our goats
to enjoy the muddy fog
Author Bio:
Caroline S. Knickmeier is an artist and writer living in southwestern Wisconsin. She grew up as a free range kid spending time outside, making art, and writing. As an artist her work has been described as "almost literary." All of her visual art is influenced by literature and music. She earned a BA from the University of Montana, Missoula where she studied literature, art, and wilderness, while she wrote and traveled to capture candid photographs. Art and writing are her chosen media to express, explore, and cope through life experience. Her work promotes conservation and experiencing nature to alleviate human suffering. She writes about challenges and overcoming them. She has been published in the Yahara Journal and exhibited in the Overture Center for the Arts, FSTOP Magazine, John Michael Kohler Arts Center Gallery, Gallery Marzen, Edgewood College Gallery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Lofts Gallery, among others.
a poem you would approve of
but I didn't want to ask permission
so built up inside me
back waters could not flow
a constructed dam on a mountaintop
the illusion of perfection
the pond was stocked with rainbows
the valley filled with family farms
little purple flowers grew
can I live in this valley
will the dam not hold will we all drown
can we swim while holding hands
cool water
hot sun
we're treading
water so clear, the illusion I can touch bottom
will my valley sustain us, can we build a boat
can we try and see
if we sink we'll learn to breathe like fish
and wear our gills held high
shall I take that endless risk
what will life be like?
will my valley recover
will wet earth be suitable for housing
shall I trust some miracle
will produce a valley reinvigorated
a homestead we can share
we'll thrive on growing cucumbers
and raise our goats
to enjoy the muddy fog
Author Bio:
Caroline S. Knickmeier is an artist and writer living in southwestern Wisconsin. She grew up as a free range kid spending time outside, making art, and writing. As an artist her work has been described as "almost literary." All of her visual art is influenced by literature and music. She earned a BA from the University of Montana, Missoula where she studied literature, art, and wilderness, while she wrote and traveled to capture candid photographs. Art and writing are her chosen media to express, explore, and cope through life experience. Her work promotes conservation and experiencing nature to alleviate human suffering. She writes about challenges and overcoming them. She has been published in the Yahara Journal and exhibited in the Overture Center for the Arts, FSTOP Magazine, John Michael Kohler Arts Center Gallery, Gallery Marzen, Edgewood College Gallery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Lofts Gallery, among others.
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