Last days of the farm

It's crack of dawn and the day is still dark 

As winter starts to sleep in a lot

It's cold outside and time to start work

And checking the barns stacked full of feed

Then I trudge tirelessly around the fields

As the animals run up for breakfast

Some slipped up on wet ground as they came

For the paddock was steep in their rush

I glanced at my watch...plenty of time

Wife said a buyer's coming today

So I have to get back fairly soon

It all looks good so I told myself

So off I trudged back home up the hill

The bank told us there is no profit here

They're right of course but it still hurts us

Illustration from www.pixabay.com

Ready for the breakfast table

I awoke from my restful sleep

I didn't even have to count sheep

Eating grass on hillside close by

Watching them made me thirsty

When they drink from troughs by the fence

Chilly dawn arrives with silence

As expected the farmer's hand

Now prods one or two as they stand

Checking if they wobble or not

Happy the day is not too hot

Trying to look like he's hard at work

Keen for breakfast for he's a jerk

Image found at www.pixabay,com

Australia January

The timid silence of dawn 
Surely meant a torrid day
Australia January
Even the dogs do not bark
In this heat there's nought to say

You've flung covers off our bed
Pensive thoughts run through my mind
Australia January
You grin at me but shake your head
Clearly it's not time to play

The wind whips up the dust and more
I'm ready to check the stock
Australia January
Dogs jump in the truck with me
For they do it everyday

Drive around the boundary
Good, the sheep have found some shade
Australia January
Find all the gates are secure
The creek's dry at the causway

Tasks all done I return home
Dogs are fed in the shed
Australia January
Wife greets me back with a kiss
She's going to make my day

Image found at https://pixabay.com/en/sheep-green-grass-field-farm-2704132/

Baa to that

I can think of nothing worse
Than to be afficted with the curse
Of unity

That strange desire to be the same
When all the good that I can name 
Is different

Should we all the same language speak?
And strive to have the same physique?
I think not

Automaton I refuse to be
I am myself and happily
Which is good

Be careful that once you do conform
You'll not be you but just the norm
Just a slave

Be like minded, yes that is fine
But to be a sheep do not incline
Baa to that

Image found at www.theregister.co.uk

The shepherdess

I spied this shepherdess
With her flock on the rolling hills
I saw her joyfulness
Skipping barefoot with the lambs

I liked her happiness
When she took me to her croft
She showed such tenderness
As she wrapped me in her arms

I loved her openness
She told me the way to live
And was the seductress
Who stole my poor heart away


Image of the painting 'The Hireling' by Holman Hunt found at www.culture24.org.uk/art/art61592