Amber Waves of Grain
Nathan’s current nonfiction project, Amber Waves of Grain, takes a hard look at the agricultural industry. A compilation of agricultural mishaps, combined with thought-provoking questions, allows the reader to explore how they would deal with particular situations or prevent them. It’s designed to get AgriScience students prepared for the real-world implications of thinking safely in the workplace. Nathan hopes it will save lives, limbs, and heartache.
Nathan has several pieces out for consideration including:
“Screwed”
- A chapter from Amber Waves of Grain that follows a millwright through a stressful day. Tom comes in on a cold fall morning and saves one of his crew-members from the top of the mill but the incident takes its toll on both of them.
“Taken for a Ride”
- A personal essay covering the nature of a strained father and son relationship. A son looks at his manipulative father, recognizes parallels in his own life, and comes to a more nuanced understanding of who his father is.
“Dad’s Buck 110”
- A sonnet supporting “Taken for a Ride.”
“The Mountain”
- A nature writing piece about a mountaineering trip where the summit isn’t reached but something deeper is found.
“An Uncurated Life”
- A personal essay about dealing with all the things left behind when dealing with someone’s death. A critical look at materialism blended with an exploration of ideologies passed down that we cling to.
“Punishment”
- A free verse poem about mental illness.
“Holding on, Letting Go”
- A short personal essay exploring the feelings surrounding a father watching his teenage son grow up.
“Strings”
- A free verse poem about taking back control of your own destiny.
Look for these in the portfolio section soon.