4 results for author: Greg Galbraith

WISCONSIN SPRING SONNET

In spring when winter keeps a stealthy grip Black crow on carrion feeds in country ditch East wind maintains a daily wicked whip Nightfall the coyote cries its tensive pitch   The auburn cow, she seeks a place to lay Along the rusted barbwire hedgerow path A thicket keeps the icy wind at bay The morning sun reveals a newborn calf   How does the singing April robin thrive? The mottled starlings raid the farmers’ grain The buntings left for slopes to swoop and dive Brave stands the crane head bowed in driving rain   These creatures do not pine or thus complain That trait’s been gifted to ...

I WISH MY LIFE WAS BEFORE . . .

I wish my life was before   doppler radar and clever weather men   I’d know about impending rain by how   the cows are all lying down at once   at forenoon in a green May meadow   I’d know about the dry spell ahead   by the dust devil that scatters   July’s newly raked hay   I’d know about a lightning strike   by the silence just before it   I’d know about the length of winter   by the pattern on the curled   wooly worm on the milk house floor     (Greg and his wife, Wendy, sold their dairy ...

ADVICE TO MY SON WHO WANTS TO TAKE OVER THE FARM

(printed with permission from the author. You can read more of Greg’s writing at www.poeticfarmer.com)   Learn to recognize the cow that’s going blind early, give her extra time and never separate her from the herd.   Get rid of the bull when he postures sideways toward you, lowers his head and froths while pawing the dirt.   Keep the herd away from the woodlot during deer season.   When retrieving the herd develop a fine cattle call, breathing from the diaphragm, don’t be shy and practice patience, the herd will soon learn to follow the herdsman home.   When ...

DO YOU MISS FARMING?

“Do you miss farming?” I’ve heard that question often in the past few months. I appreciate being asked. Occasionally it comes from farmers who admit they couldn’t do what I’ve done—leaving the farm, that is. I understand. I realize because we were more of what I call a one-off situation. It was truly easier for us. There wasn’t a long line of previous family owners in our case. There are a number of things that make me realize the difference. The most significant is the pride folks take in how many generations of direct descendants are linked to the farm they operate. It’s one of the first things farmers tell me when I learn ...