From “The Cornflower and Other Poems,” by permission.


WORK

Sweet wind, fair wind, where have you been?

“I’ve been sweeping the cobwebs out of the sky;

I’ve been grinding a grist in the mill hard by;

I’ve been laughing at work while others sigh;

Let those laugh who win!”

Sweet rain, soft rain, what are you doing?

“I’m urging the corn to fill out its cells;