, Hand-Haying Poem by Adeline Foster

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Adeline Foster

Adeline Foster

Instructor of poetry, Hagerstown, MD

, Hand-Haying

Rating: 3.6


, Hand-Haying

The rhythm of the scythe plume
In the summer heat.
The step-by, step-by cadence
Of the old man's steady feet.

The zip-saw of the whet-stone
Against the metal blade.
The wizened hands like leather
That never knew the shade.

And I am just a child again
On a tumbled stoop;
Watching ancient haying,
Marveling at the crop

Of tumbled swathes of timothy
Symmetrically alive,
Falling layer on even layer
To the mercy of the scythe.

Saturday, October 25, 2008
Topic(s) of this poem: memory,pastoral
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Smoky Hoss 27 December 2011

Beautiful. I am sitting here listening to the beautiful music of Kate Wolf, her voice rings like the wonder and magic of long and wonderful memories, and so does this poem. I bailed hay the modern way (1970's!) , but still this poem brings back such great memories; thanks for writing it so well Adeline. May those yesterdays never leave us.

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Heather Wilson 10 February 2013

So true to life write, I was brought up out in the country, I remember my dad using a scythe, also being told the dangers of it, I was always amazed at what it could achieve.

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Linda Ori 25 October 2008

Ah, this is a wonderful pastoral scene you paint here, Adeline. Takes me back to a long ago time in my childhood. Pure nostalgia. Linda :)

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Linda Winchell 01 November 2008

I gave this one a ten! I too, as the other Linda said, could feel and smell the hay. I live on a small farm and have goats and chickens and bunnies. The goats eat hay and I love the smell of it cut fresh. I tried to eat some cause they make it look so yummy! Well, it isn't! LOL Too much fiber for me! LOL God Bless, and be blessed! Just another Linda

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Joseph Anderson 14 February 2011

I tried to comment on this before; guess it did'nt make it- such sweet memories of bygone days-I love your brevity with words-great write-a 10 Joe

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Bri Edwards 29 October 2021

nice. bri ;)

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Marilyn Lott 21 July 2015

What a wonderful nostalgic country poem. I loved it, Adeline!

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Yash Shinde 13 April 2014

......a well composed write..............lovely and wonderful poem

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Laurie X3 12 March 2014

The mind is a Palace! ! And the memories to visit such treasures as is your memory immortalized in this poem.

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Smoky Hoss 13 October 2013

What a superb tribute. My father was raised on a farm using a team of horses to pull the rake, harow, plow and etc. He told me stories of the old ways of hard hand labor... and how he missed it. It was 20 years ago today that he passed-on, so it is perfect for me to read at this time; my memories smile, for that thank you sincerely. You write wonderfully.

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Adeline Foster

Adeline Foster

Instructor of poetry, Hagerstown, MD
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