Reality
by Calvin Daniels
Beat up Chev half-ton rumbles to a halt at the edge of the road, trailed by a cloud of dust Out tumbles a farmer, faded jeans, work-worn boots and a Wheat Pool hat pulled low over hid brow He walks across the gravel road Half way, he kicks a stone On the far side he pauses momentarily; slaps a mosquito, then proceeds through the weed strewn ditch To his left the typical Prairie wheat field shimmers in the afternoon sun, wavering lightly in the breeze In front of the farmer an expanse of ebony hued summerfallow Reaching down, he scoops a handful of soil Immediately, this modern day Anteus is renewed He squeezes the dirt into a ball. feels its warmth Crumbling the ball, between calloused thumb and weathered fingers he feels the soil's texture Hand rises to meet down turned head He breathes deeply smelling the freshness, the life nurturing sweetness of the earth Suddenly, a tear escapes followed quickly by another, then another A sob of anguish echoes across the field A cry of mourning for a way of life lost You see Today the banker called
Calvin Daniels is Editor of Yorkton This Week & Enterprise newspaper in Saskatchewan, Canada. He has also written for more than 100 magazines including Western Producer, Grainews, Canadian Hereford Digest, Prairie Pork Report and Charolais Banner. He has had several poems and short stories published as well.
e-mail c.b.daniels@sk.sympatico.ca
