PLANTING TIME

The village stirs in the dusky dawn

While inky clouds mantle the sky,

Work beasts are shafted on the lawn

For planting time is night!

The maidens around the seedbed draw

To sort out the sprouting tufts,

The sturdy youth to the paddies go

Hi-yah-ing behind the harrow’s shaft.

Now the working folks, young and old

With brimmed-hats tread the muddy crust.

Midst frolic and tunes of banjos old

Each tender stem earth-deep is thrust.

Then shines the sun and pours the rain

But now, the planting is all done;

The planters laugh over the verdant plain

To heaven leaves the harvest to come!