Haytime

26 HAYTIME Yellow wheeled chariot Clattering and clicking and chattering Broomsage and horseweed, orchard grass and fescue Felled in noisy precision Sharp blades flashing Sweet grass smelling Haytime on the hillside. Keep that sickle sharp, boy Grease them gears. Don't holler at them mares, boy. They know more about what you're doin than you do. Snaggletoothed hayrake Skinny high wheels Faststepping mares Dry hay dragging Pitchforks flashing. Slow down, boy. You're tryin to fork air. Take your time And do it right. Weary mares waiting Crunching nubbins Smelly harness slid over wet flanks Big footed bays rolled and played Like clumsy puppies. See them hayricks, boy? They'll shed water all winter And the cows'U feed theirselves. Do a job right, boy And it'll stay done. Rusted old John Deere mower Used to be green and mustard yellow Sunk down in the mud Over behind the corncrib Seat fell off about ten year ago But the Pittman rod's still good. Take care of your tools, boy And they'll take care of you. —Garry Barker 27 ...