Sugarcane
Acres of sugarcane slowly
burn from manmade fires
designed to consume
dry leaves and deadly snakes
before the open fields
are methodically cut with
machine-like men wielding
cane knives and machetes
Such worldwide crops become
building blocks for molasses and
rum and fuel for third world engines
but when refined and shaped
into bite-sized cubes
become dropped and stirred
into coffee and tea
oftentimes popped
directly into childrens’ mouths
rewritten april two thousand fourteen
original dated october two thousand eleven
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
OMG! SIMPLE BEAUTIFUL!! loved your metaphors and way of writing.
Thank you very much.
I think I just learned more about sugarcane than I’ve ever known. You packed this one tight and so well done!
I studied up a bit myself before writing this one…the thing about the snakes in the fields surprised me.
Snakes surprise me, wherever they are! I try not to be there 🙂
This poem is too sweet and not bittersweet enough. Sugar causes diabetes. That being said, I loved it!
Even sugar in moderation can be too much sugar. Thank-you for visiting and commenting.