THE FARMER
Poetry by M. Linda Steffey

A Spiritual And Inspirational Poem from All-Creatures.org

[Ed. Note] We published this poem, which  speaks of the "Old McDonalds Farm" type of farm life and animal exploitation, because it rarely exists today, and shows the stark difference between a bygone era and the horrors of today's factory farms.  See: www.all-creatures.org/anex/

His shoulders bent from milking His hands are rough and dry In rain and snow he labors As under fair blue sky...

His days begin 'fore daybreak With sounds of rooster crow In heat of day he sows his seed He and God watch them grow...

His face is worn and weathered 'Neath a battered hat of straw His watchful squinting eye gleams As crows circle yelling....."CAW!"

The glow of red tomatoes And fields of yellow corn Gathering speckled hen eggs Or to help a calf being born...

The smell of rich dark earth Under hooves and steel-edged plow The cheep of baby chicks And the squealing of a sow...

From his sunrise to his sunset He deals with life and death A favorite horse that passes And a new foal takes first breath..

With his two hands he nurtures life With knowing love and care This love of earth and growing things Is a gift of beauty rare......

(c) M. Linda Steffey 1990