Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LONG TRAIL: THE PRAIRIE FARM, by ELIZABETH SEWELL HILL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LONG TRAIL: THE PRAIRIE FARM, by                    
First Line: Under the lifting ridges of smoke
Last Line: Is come—is come!
Subject(s): Farm Life; Fields; Labor & Laborers; Prairies; Roads; Agriculture; Farmers; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers; Plains; Paths; Trails


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!





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