The Harvest

The Harvest

As I traversed the forest floor, and kicked up all the leaves,
My mind began to wander back, to times of gathering sheaves.
To each farm in our village, all the men would quickly go,
Loading sheaves upon the carts, then to the barn we’d go.
Unloading all the sheaves of corn, to put them through the thresher,
Never any stress involved, so never under pressure.

The ears of corn were taken off, to be ground into flour,
Then all the stalks were quickly placed in the barn within the hour.
Then back out to another field, to do the same thing over,
Whilst little children in the field picked flowers and played with clover.
When each field on a farm were done, to the next farm we would go,
And all once more repeated, in the sunshines pleasant glow.

In two to three weeks, all the farms, were harvested and stored,
Then men met in one farmers barn, on Friday ‘neath it’s hoard.
The farmers all provided drink and food abundantly,
Here scrumpy cider did abound, to gulp down after tea.
A tea prepared by ladies, farmers wives, and it was fine,
Pork pies, salad, cheese and bread, and pickles with red wine.

We ate our fill, our bellies full of all that wondrous fare,
Then started drinking scrumpy cider, no-one with a care.
As darkness came each man would sing, a new or old folk song,
It was a pleasant atmosphere, I was so glad to belong.
Then from the darkness wives appeared (my mother there as well),
To see we got home safely, hold us up in case we fell.

The harvest over for another year, and a day to lie in bed,
To sleep the drink off and of course to rest a weary head.
Then came the Sunday morning, all to church or chapel went,
Gave thanks for abundant harvest,(and perhaps some to repent).
We worshipped, prayed and offered thanks, to God for giving all,
No matter if the harvest was quite large or really small.

I miss those days of brotherhood, of socialising well,
Of eating well and drinking much, not living in a shell.
People now have progressed, yes, not for the common good.
If I could go back to those days, I definitely would!!!

Michael J Hill © 2019