IGWRT's Open Link Monday "The Tobacco Farmers"

Farm Security Admin.,  Jack Delano, photographer

The Tobacco Farmers

Back in the day

he was a dashing young man, 

I a country girl, willowy and strong,

both of us full of zest and glee,

first generation polish stock, we.

Toiled side by side, 

he decapitating flowers 
and suckers stalk after stalk, 
stooped, sometimes crawling

between row upon row 

of never-ending filth.

I hoed and hoed, 
black calloused hands 
better than gloves.

Every hour or so, 
his glance, a smile

would lighten my load.

Mid morning break, 8:45, 

already exhausted

somehow kept going 'till high noon,

clothes soaked through,

we’d lean our backs 

against solitary bleached barn.

Blessed shade, our haven 
in the middle of hell,
consider ourselves lucky

if we sighted a snake, devil himself,
bigger the better, reassured us
the monstrous rats 
would be held at bay for another day.

Precious minutes, we rested

hands tingling, swollen

blisters burst, pink, tender.
My skin didn’t stand a chance 

of ever being baby soft.

Back into the field, 

never enough water

to quench our thirst,

often feeling dizzy 'n nauseous,

flamethrower upon our backs. 

Times were tough,
possessions few,

but my Matka she tell us

“Enjoy this freedom.” 

So we did.  Dignity, Self Respect, 
and Laughter filled all our days.

by Margaret Bednar,  originally published January 12, 2012:  EDITED a bit June 10, 2013

This was originally linked with Poetry Jam.  I am now linking it with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's Open Link Monday.