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Open Poetry #33
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kayjay
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since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon

0 posted 2004-07-10 09:32 AM


Hay sonnet

The trucks and trailers gather ‘midst the smell
Of new-mown hay that bales up so well.
While silos, fences and a curious cow
Give watch to us who gather at hill’s brow.
“There’s 40 to the ton” the farmer calls.
We’ll count 600 up as night befalls .
The axles’ creaks are mingled sounds of work
As muscle groans give way to toss and jerk.

The women mostly drive but one stands high,
Among the bales stacked beside her thigh.
She trades coarse jokes and sets the weighty bale.  
The old men toil most, defy life’s jail.
Each bale, scratch by scratch, and one by one,
Fills up the straining barn, our day is done.


© Copyright 2004 Ken Julkowski - All Rights Reserved
Midnitesun
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Gaia
1 posted 2004-07-10 09:39 AM


Ken, it sounds like you are one of the farming neighbors I watched the past few days near the horse barn, harvesting baling and stacking those yellowed bales 7 high!
LOL, in the barn, a 4-high stack is way too high for me, I'm only 5'3"
Come to think of it, a pancake 4-high stack is too high too!
enjoyed the write, the snapshot of the stacking woman

my new poem talks about the fields, as they sing of color, as they shout van Gogh /pip/Forum90/HTML/000227.html

Ratleader
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Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
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2 posted 2004-07-10 09:51 AM


Oh yes.... though that 40 to the ton depends who's driving the bailer...the hay crew who get paid by the bale, or the farmer who has to pay 'em.....!

You've got me remembering... /pip/Forum64/HTML/000717.html

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

Kahlil
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since 2003-04-12
Posts 1881

3 posted 2004-07-10 09:58 AM


AAAAAA-CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

love to see those beautiful bales out in the fields from a distance,
and I appreciate the hard work,
but I have to drive on by!

~K~

kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
4 posted 2004-07-10 10:07 AM


Kacy, Thanks for stopping by and the referral to your "Palette".  Actually I'm a retired school teacher who helps a friend now and then.  It was a great day.

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
5 posted 2004-07-10 10:20 AM


RL and Kahlil: Thank you for your comments too.  There is something about a hayfield that all can connect to in some way.  KJ

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
6 posted 2004-07-10 10:31 AM


Ken

I can imagine this, especially the fregrance of the hay and all that intense labor in the sun.  It feels like a slice of life from another time.  Well done!

Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
7 posted 2004-07-10 10:39 AM


Ah, the square bale is a missing part of our history now.  We have the big round bales [and trust me, you need a tractor with a bale fork...]

But the cows and bulls eat from 'em just the same...

It's good summer work...and a way to stay in touch with one's roots...

and earn one of the most honest of all dollars...

Well done, Sir.

Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
8 posted 2004-07-10 11:23 AM


Love this Ken...
You sure brought back a lot of memories of staying out on the family farm.
Love the smell of fresh hay...
This is wonderful..a keeper for sure.
~Hugs & Smiles, Nancy~

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain ~

Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
9 posted 2004-07-10 11:39 AM


Ken~
This is just so vividly wonderful~
I felt almost as though I could frame the word-picture~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram <))><

noles1@totcon.com

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
10 posted 2004-07-10 06:15 PM


That was a beautiful poem about hard work!  Made me remember my growing up on the farm.  Hard work, mostly good memories.  Enjoyed!   .....jo
Nightshade
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just out of reach
11 posted 2004-07-10 10:10 PM


Really enjoyed this write Ken.
Well done! Chris

   Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.
                                          Hans Christian Anderson

garysgirl
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Florida, USA
12 posted 2004-07-11 11:58 AM


Ken, sounds like you had fun in the pasture. LOL
I love to read your rhymes no matter the subject.
This one reminded me of the fields around here
where I live. there are cows and horses all around here.
Hugs,
Ethel

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