Jethro

I met Jethro by a stile Howarth way
Knee deep in snow and soon talking.
He was old but not very and his eyes
Were full of reflected glared light.
He called me young lady at first
Then lass...I called him master then
Mister as we stood on his ground measuring.

His farm was breaking even but his
Beasts and sheep had to eat his money now
Which is the nature of things he supposed and
As we looked down the moor we saw his wife
Unplucking his frozen shirts from a line and waving
Us to tea which I wasn't going to ignore...

We talked about the Brontes and he showed
Me his copy of "Wuthering Heights" that was given
To his family all those years ago...
The kitchen danced warmly with age then...
I asked him if he thought he was rich...
He said take a good look around...
Rich or poor has no meaning if you
Are as mad as a hatter with greed or despair







Poetry by jenks The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 408 times
Written on 2011-01-16 at 00:35

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Nancy Sikora
Farmers may not appear very worldly, but they often possess a profound wisdom that escapes the rest of us.
2011-01-20


shells
Loved the snapshot of life, real life, good people with riches money can't buy. Enjoyed the last two lines of your first stanza. the whole piece has a warm feel to it, even though the undercurrents are that life is hard.
2011-01-16


countryfog
I knew Jim would love this, as do I. Such common sense and the grace that comes not only with age but with knowing the things that make one truly blessed. You could not have written this if you didn't know them too.
2011-01-16


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
He was rich enough to reward the lass, I'd say.
2011-01-16



I love this poem. The sense of time and place, heritage, sensibility and humor come through in your words.
2011-01-16