by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
In August of 2017, at the beginning of my marriage, I penned a poem titled “A Tended Field.” At that time, I felt as if my husband spent more time farming than focusing on our relationship. The first year of our marriage was particularly challenging, but I’m grateful to say that we have evolved significantly since then. Here’s the poem:
A Tended Field
by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan (2017)
Loving a woman is like tending a field
Without proactive attention
She tends to wonder
About contrasts, similarities, conflicts
The wandering leads to
Leaves withered on the vine —
a wasted harvest upon the ground
Analysis of “A Tended Field” 🌾
Themes:
- Love and Care: The poem draws a parallel between loving a woman and tending a field, suggesting that both require consistent, proactive attention and care. This highlights the idea that relationships need nurturing to thrive.
- Neglect and Consequences: The imagery of a field left untended emphasizes the negative consequences of neglect. Without care, relationships may wither, resulting in unfulfilled potential—represented by the “wasted harvest.”
Imagery:
- Field as a Metaphor: The field serves as a powerful metaphor for a relationship. It suggests that love, like agriculture, requires work, patience, and a commitment to growth.
- Contrasts and Conflicts: The mention of “contrasts, similarities, conflicts” introduces complexity in relationships. It acknowledges that love is not always straightforward; it involves navigating differences and challenges.
- Nature’s Cycle: The reference to “leaves withered on the vine” evokes the natural cycle of growth and decay, reflecting how neglect can lead to the loss of beauty and potential.
Emotional Impact:
- The poem carries a sense of urgency and poignancy. The imagery of a wasted harvest evokes feelings of sadness and loss, reminding readers of the fragility of relationships and the importance of tending to them.
- The closing lines reinforce the idea that neglecting love leads to missed opportunities, inviting readers to reflect on their own relationships and the care they invest in them.
Conclusion 🌼
“A Tended Field” beautifully captures the intricacies of love and the necessity of active engagement in relationships. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful reflections, it serves as a reminder of the commitment required to nurture and sustain love.
Looking back, I realize that the first year of our marriage was a learning experience for both of us. Although it was hard, it taught us the importance of communication and prioritizing our relationship. Today, I’m grateful for the growth we’ve experienced together, nurturing our love like a carefully tended field. Husband, I wonder what you would think about this poem that I wrote in 2017?
Now that Chris and I have embarked on our eighth year as a married couple, I see our relationship so much differently than I did as a new wife. Instead of dwelling on situations and words that hurt and hindered our connection, I focus on nurturing its success. Just today at lunch, I held his hands and told him how happy I am to share those moments with him each day. I also thanked him for allowing me to step away from teaching. He chuckled and remarked on how surprised he was that I gave up my long, hard fight to keep my career.
The truth is, I was misguided, placing my identity in what I do rather than who I am. My identity is now firmly rooted in my existence as the daughter of Jesus. This internal transformation has created a fertile environment for our relationship to grow and flourish. While we are not yet in our harvest season, we are firmly rooted in the lush, fertile hands of the Vinedresser. Hallelujah!
The verse referring to the Vinedresser (or Gardener) is found in the Gospel of John:
John 15:1-2 (NIV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener (vinedresser).
2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
This passage beautifully illustrates the relationship between Jesus, His followers, and God as the Vinedresser, emphasizing the care and pruning necessary for spiritual growth.
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#ATendedField #MarriageJourney #LoveAndGrowth #RelationshipGoals #PoetryReflection #NurturingLove #FaithInLove #GrowingTogether
Feel free to comment to the post. Let me know what you think!
The Aging English Major 