Farm Poetry: There is a tradition in literature of setting out an agricultural calendar in a sort of poem. Hesiod’s “Work and Days” dates to around 725 BC. He advises you to hire a mature plowman of 40 years of age. A younger man plows ill while dreaming of his social life.
One of my favorites is Thomas Tusser’s “Hundred Points of Husbandry” (mentioned previously), farming advice set to rhyme was published in 1557: A truly wonderful and instructive text that was the basis of one of my favorite books “Lost Country Life”. The author, Dorothy Hartley, used the poem to explore medieval village and farming life.
Last week, while reading some of Wendell Berry’s poetry from his “Sabbath” collection I discovered his contribution to this form of literature: “The Farm”. An instructional walk through the year on his farm it contains some true gems. He tackles in one section one of the thorniest issues we deal with in our life on the farm, competition with predators.
…Or old Coyote may
Become your supper guest,
Unasked and without thanks;
He’ll just excerpt a lamb
And dine before you know it.
But don’t, because of that,
Make war against the world
And its wild appetites.
A guard dog or a donkey
Would be the proper answer;
Or use an electric fence.
For you must learn to live with neighbors never chosen
As with the ones you chose.
Coyote’s song at midnight
Says something for the world
The world wants said. And when
You know your flock is safe
You’ll like to wake and hear
That wild voice sing itself
Free in the dark, at home.
By Wendell Berry: from “The Farm”
Thanks for sharing this Wendell Berry poem. I am a huge Berry fan and have written an article, inspired by Berry, that you might like: http://www.novasights.com/2011/09/11/unplugging-chimera/.
Also, I had a chance to meet Joel Salatin and asked him for his thoughts on Berry, check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAxav-kuHps&feature=plcp
Cheers,
Benjamin
Benjamin,
Thanks for the comments. Berry’s poetry is accessible and relevant. I always bring away something new with each reading. Your Chimera piece is a good one, keep them coming. Thanks for sharing,
Brian
Thanks for taking the time to read it Brian. I feel the same way about Berry’s poems. I have “A Timbered Choir” on my nightstand now.
I am working on a few more essays and will share when they’re out.
Benjamin
I’ll look forward to it.