Friday, July 06, 2012
Stay Green
R.S. Thomas (1913-2000), Lore:
Newer› ‹Older
Job Davies, eighty-fiveRobert J. O'Hara drew my attention to an article by Barry Newman, "Who Needs a WeedWacker When You Can Use a Scythe?" Wall Street Journal (June 29, 2012), p. A1.
Winters old, and still alive
After the slow poison
And treachery of the seasons.
Miserable? Kick my arse!
It needs more than the rain’s hearse,
Wind-drawn, to pull me off
The great perch of my laugh.
What’s living but courage?
Paunch full of hot porridge,
Nerves strengthened with tea,
Peat-black, dawn found me
Mowing where the grass grew,
Bearded with golden dew.
Rhythm of the long scythe
Kept this tall frame lithe.
What to do? Stay green.
Never mind the machine,
Whose fuel is human souls.
Live large, man, and dream small.
Labels: Luddism
