Home > Come Outside > Last week of the farm

Last week of the farm

February 6, 2007

The herb gardens: gone.
Only sage remains, adrift
in a sea of soil and hay.
In the fields, dark rippled kale
overlooks a fuzz of winter rye.

Crows scatter from the squash
smashed atop the compost pile
as I approach. The mountains
are turning purple, turning pale,
leaves fallen.

It’s hard not to feel sorrow.
Even these sheep, looking up
from their salt lick to nose
a green tomato, are destined
for slaughter…

But look at the farmer’s house.
On a tall extension ladder
he tapes windows. Soon
seed catalogues will trickle
into the mailbox like rain.

by Rachel Barenblat of Velveteen Rabbi

Categories: Come Outside Tags:
  1. February 6, 2007 at 2:29 am

    Poignant and beautiful, sad yet hopeful, Rachel. It really sits well with the gorgeous photo below ( great choice Fiona!).

  2. February 6, 2007 at 8:15 pm

    Bittersweet. Rolling this around on my tongue tasting the mixed flavors. Nicely done.

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