Under the lifting ridges of smoke The fields stretch black. But the prairie-folk Year-wise, regardful, provident, see The promise; and the whistling plough breaks free Thro' the swelling sod breaking wet and black In the autumn rains, while the burnt roots crack, And the turned new earth, black row on row, Springs stript for service. The glad hopes grow Thro' winter drifts. With a new year born, Stretches mile on mile on mile of corn. The farmhouse stands and the roses blow In the world-wide way that roses know, Under cherry-trees. The flower-beds swarm Knee-deep round the enclosure, guarded and warm, Where the garden is. The orchard trees Hang full to the pasture. The hum of bees Speaks from the clover. The pasture bars Fall with the dusk. Under early stars Bare feet come slowly up the long home lane In the soft warm dust, while the cows complain Of thirst and need at the barnyard gate While the watering-trough spills and the milk-stools wait. Faint thro' the late dusk, parched and brown, The church-bells come from the distant town; And from up at the tank, a luminous star, The headlight roars down with its thundering jar. The chores and the day's work are done at last And sleep, toil-won, deep-breathed, dream-fast, Is come—is come! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A DOUBLE BALLAD OF GOOD COUNSEL by FRANCOIS VILLON THE CONFLICT by CECIL DAY LEWIS THE DEAD LARK by ALEXANDER ANDERSON SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 27. ENGLAND by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) PSALM 39, VERSE 4 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE WHILE LOVELINESS GOES BY by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH THE LITTLE GHOST by PATRICK REGINALD CHALMERS |