Arrgh, I hate when you do this to me Hellon. My mind is racing with so much thoughts and all these images!
Firstly - I was excited to see this title by you and couldn't wait to read it, then felt my heart sink as I got to end of the poem. It is quite tearful, I think because I feel a connection to the story, like I have given him a personality of his own and you are taking us on a journey with him.

It was December now
and Kuebiko notice that
no smoke billowed from
the chimney pot,
no Christmas tree lights
winked from the farmhouse window
and the usual smells of
turkey and cranberry sauce
were absent from the
crisp breeze
which came to his field.

- what a detailed opening, painting that scene of a winter day. I think notice should be noticed? Right away I am hit with this powerful surge of abandonment. Loneliness. I think it also gives a sense of how long he has been there, to familiarise himself with the routine of what Christmas has held each coming year and yet this year he notices it all gone. SO sad! I also like how you use the senses here, the smell the sight, the touch as well since he could feel the breeze, it just gives him so much character. :(

The gate creaked
in the night
keeping him from sleep
and the fence lay un-mended.

- again I get the abandoned thought. I can picture this scene in my head and can vividly hear and see this gate, swining back and forth and the banging getting louder as the breeze picks up through out the night. You know by now the house is empty because no one can sleep through this.

He had become leaner
these past months
the sleeves from his shirt
were now missing
...he no longer stood tall.

- No one has been looking after him :( give me him! I will! This really is touching. It makes me think of an elder person when their family moves away, or moves on with their own lives but forget to come back and visit. I imagine what it must be like for perhaps elderly parents who see their young ones grow up and move away and wonder when they will next see them, or who will look after them in their old age. My head is going with this story as being along these lines. They looked after him well, then slowly lacked their commitment and then they moved away.

and...

As the cruel winds howled
and the snow arrived
his head drooped
some more
as he shivered in his field
and wondered why...

- such a sad ending because again, he has been so loyal in his duties, his protection and love for his home and family, yet he is left with not a clue as to why they have up and left without him. This also made me think of a toy or a teddy being abandoned by a child. A bit like Toy Story in a way.

I find this poem so personal and I can't really decide why. Perhaps just because you have took something as simple as a scarecrow and gave it so much personality, and a heart in a way. Like I said, it makes me think of elder people and what they must worry about when they feel alone or see their family moving on and slipping away. The worst thing about this poem is the fact you made it around Christmas, when no one should be alone or cold, or any of the things above. :/

Fantastic poem and I just loved this idea from the start - as you know.

Thanks for sharing xx

I am humbled by the flow and imagery of this poem . My first impression was that the tenses were colloquial in the sense "was" "now"" notice "& "billowed"
notice the present tense. I feel comfortable with it now. ...well done

I've been reading your series of Kuebiko poems and am always left speechless. Like BR said, I want to take him for myself and take care of him. The way you've written these, gave him a life.. just breaks my heart reading it, but I love it. Amazing.

I am fast becoming a huge fan of yours. I especially love this character you've built so well over time. It feels like one of those book/TV series I've gotten addicted to that I never want to end. I hope this isn't the last, because I'd be really really sad and you'd also be ending this on a sad note. Also, the next one should be on a happier part of Kuebiko's life. :)

This is the first time Im reading a Keubiko poem of yours and Im already connected to him. I always feel very sad when I picture old people abandoned and have written one such poem dedicated for those beautiful people cuz I myself try to spend my weekends with my grandparents and have fun with them. This phase of life should be the most calm and peaceful time, but the young ones only tend to give them much of it.
I loved the entire story you share here. I felt every little sound happening around me. I too look forward to read more of him.

Excellent!!

Keep writing:)

Aww Hellon, my heart just aches throughout this whole piece! I'm very glad you created this character, made him so lovable, compassionate, and had the imagination to give him such a voice. I know many have read and will continue to read :]

I like how you have been going through the seasons with him, and now you take the reader through the wintertime... especially with Christmas, it seems like a time of fullness, where you get together with family and there is a brightness (not just in the lights put up but in each others' eyes). Here though, there is a lack of that and it is heartbreaking he can't experience this or see it. That emptiness is very real, and with that closing line, shows the starkness of the character, physically and then him questioning why it has to be like this.

Beautifully written as usual and congratulations on the win!!! Very well-deserved!

Congrats :)

xxx

Kuebiko is a masterpiece my friend.