Morning field

Folder: 
book 13

As the sun peaks up into the sky

     the blue pickup truck goes down the dusty road

to the field that barren laid

     and the red tractor waiting there

 

father and son in blue jeans clad

     walked from the truck across the land

to the job are waiting for them there

     to begin a new as such in every year

 

so big the wheels with cleats deep

     red painted steel and rubber so black

the scent of grease and of used oil

     and dust that tickled and teased the nose

 

black painted seat with flecks of rust

     up so high to be rode

so many petals and levers there

     hard black rubber wheel oh so wide

 

father climbs up and takes his seat

     reaches down and lifts up his son

setting him down upon his knee

     reaches down and turns the key

 

a lever is moved a throttle to set

     the choke pulled out to just right there

a round pedal then depressed

     and with a grind the engine starts

 

moving levers the plow is raised

     with hiss of hydraulics and squeaks of steel

depress the clutch and shift into gear

     increase the throttle and ease off the clutch

 

and with a lurch the tractor moves

     heading out into the field

the father steers the boy watches

     as they move to where to begin

 

stopping there lowering the plow

     the father says he’ll do the first

then coming back he’ll let his son

     plow furrows in the field

 

back and forth in the rising sun

     the scent of soil freshly turned

birds that land where they had been

     seeking the worms now exposed

 

and at noon they take a break

     for tuna sandwiches and paper wrapped

a big thermos of still cold milk

     and for apples fresh and red

 

working on in light of sun

     through the day both long and hot

till the sun touches again the land

     at end of day before work is done

 

leaving the tractor in the field

     walking back into their truck

the first of many days are now done

     as they get in and drive away

 

another day for father and son

     as they work in light of sun

sharing together the joy of the land

     and the working of it which is their life’s

 

 

 

 

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