Guardians of the Land
Row upon row
standing sentinel
wind swept snow covered
feet firmly rooted
reverent heads bowed to the winter sun
ears stung by bitter cold
cradled in brittle fingers
hardened casualties of time
Forlorn heroes solemnly maintaining their rank
fighting against the wind’s forceful blow
never abandoning fealty sown in the field
a duty planted deep within the tilled soil
bravely thrusting up like new recruits
their sweet prize protected from every element
courageously loyal to the land
the seasons having stolen the victory
harvest is the last relief
Original poem by Laura Lane, First published in the Niagara Community News 2010 and Brock University Unesco Poetry Contest Ebook 2020