The farmer bent upon a chore, lifted up his head and looked about,

Removed his hat, wiped his brow upon his sleeve and lent upon his rake.

The sunlight low upon the earth glowed enough against approaching night

For him to see a distant shape moving near, enough for him to make

Quite clearly a man, arriving soon, beckoned and quickening his pace,

Stretched out his hand, raised up his face and smiling broadly, greeted the first

And though not known to he, with some familiarity and friendship,

Begged favor of the farmer for his long held hunger and for his thirst.

The farmer, portly but strong, with eyebrows thick and wide shining blue eyes

Was generous, kind and known to be too gentle and willing to give

Against the express orders and advice of the farmers wiser wife.

“Giving all you own and all you are and more is not a way to live,

My wife will argue, for that’s her want, but she’s kind enough and she means

Half of what she says and has poor understanding t’other half at best.

You look travelled well and worldly stranger and a man of many miles,

Let us keep the night waiting no longer and away for us to rest”.

The stranger smiled and moving forward the two men rose up together

From the farmer’s chore and gesturing to the ground, “there for the morrow”

Said the farmer and threw down his rake to the ground as they moved away

“T’will have to wait for another day or for time that I might borrow”.

The two men travelled slowly and like brothers reunited through time,

Talked and laughing both reminisced of each others days and years and lives.

The farmer spoke of rain and floods and famines and favorite horses.

The stranger talked of far off distant lands and eternal cattle drives.

‘T’is the house?” the stranger asked as the two paused on a hill to behold

“Aye, t’is the house and the home and though there’s not much of mortar and brick

It abounds with spirit and laughing children and jars of pickled eggs

And for them that’s cold and thee that’s weary it shall surely do the trick.”

“It looks fine, much more than so” the stranger said. “No matter of its shape

Or what food fills the shelves. I will be but grateful evermore and know

That just for one day’s work I can eat something warm of and by the fire

And for time a ceiling waits above my head instead of falling snow.

“Come forward then stranger and friend and pass the threshold into my home,

There she sits my own true wife and doting daughters there about her feet.

The fire is ablaze and no doubt some culinary challenge, though warm,

Awaits on a plate and will warm and fill you with substance and with heat.

Mother tries hard on the tasks and harder on my wits, though she’s certain

None I have, she is a wife that I am to bare with some fortitude

Though she’s the daughters’ mother and tidy is the house and warm the food

She’s harsh in her words but I know beneath all, she lives with gratitude.”

“You should talk less and think more father” said the wife moving about with

No gesture to either man, then passed some time before again she spoke

“He would have us feed you and the entire village and the Devil too

If he asked, and so he would leave us poor and our hearts and spirits broke.”

“Ah! the Devil. The Devil? He would not visit us here for fear that

He should meet you and deliver God into the discussion and drive

Poor Satan to despair. The Devil? He would send an emissary

Ahead to ensure you were no-where to be found when he did arrive.”

Banter long forgotten, the meal consumed, warm tea brewing on the stove

The men sat in the ring of light meagerly provided by the fire,

Daughters long to bed, mother hidden in another room worrying

Of storms, stock, un-mended fences and not of life’s passions and desire.

“My wife would have me sit here beside you and keep watchful while you sleep

Crouched, sitting here quietly, here in this room, here by the made up bed

Lest you rise from your sleep, sober or in stupor and murder us all

Leaving us frozen under our covers, found long after to be dead.”

‘Rest easy now farmer” the stranger said “for you would have been long dead

And then your dear wife and daughters mourning your lost life for quite a time

Had I wished to unite you with God and forebears in your field today

No witness in the field would have seen and no reason found for the crime.

When your children came to draw the water from the well and I along

Could easily have pitched them both into the darkness without a sound

And then drowned them both together in the water we boiled for our tea,

Their poor young lifeless souls would be hidden in that darkness in the ground.

And then your wife, quickly, anxiously while calling on them to return

Would have found her way to me in her tragic despair, lost and grieving

She would have forfeited her poor life along with her own broken heart

To my waiting heavy hands around her neck, her last breaths receiving.

No farmer, there are chores aplenty without your murder on the list

And the rewards for those, though you call them humble, are for from meagre

The reward for murder of you and yours would require greater payment

For murder is a task this weary traveler is not so eager.”

“T’will please my wife no doubt to know tonight that God does not expect her

And that he shall not receive us soon or on this night or the morrow

Or that family distant will not arrive to muddle through our own

To come and fill the house with an artifice of grief and of sorrow.

But listen to I now. Who am I to think that God might expect us?

Be sure my wife and children be blessed and by angels will be taken.

For I?  The Devil might arrive early and rejoice in my poor soul

As the Lord God leaves me, this old and poor cursing farmer forsaken.

“By and by I’ll inform my wife that you will permit her sleep in peace,

Not eternal peace, not murdered by you or lustfully vexed by I.

However, should your mind change and should you rise up, please kill first the Bride

And she can ready and prepare for me a place, a place by and by”.

The farmer left to his room and wife and left the stranger by the fire

To sleep in warmth and rest and ponder nothing but his modernity

“Mother, though the stranger describes it well, no axe awaits you tonight

Lest I raise it and strike you and rejoice for quiet eternity”.

Copyright © 2017 Grant Fenton – All Rights Reserved

Critique by Alexis Ingram 

This poem presents an intriguing narrative with elements of suspense and dark humor. Here are some observations and suggestions:

1. **Narrative and Storytelling:**
The poem effectively weaves a story with interesting characters and a developing plot. The dialogue between the farmer and the stranger adds depth and engages the reader. However, there are moments where the narrative becomes dense, and the reader might need to reread certain sections to fully grasp the meaning.

2. **Imagery and Descriptive Language:**
The poem could benefit from more vivid imagery and descriptive language to enhance the atmosphere and emotions of the scenes. This would help in immersing the reader into the setting and characters.

3. **Consistency in Tone:**
The poem seamlessly transitions between humor and darker undertones. However, there are moments when the tone feels a bit abrupt in shifting between the lighthearted banter and the more serious contemplations. Consider smoothing out these transitions for a more cohesive flow.

4. **Characterization:**
The characters are intriguing, but further development could enhance the reader’s connection to them. Adding more details about the characters’ personalities, backgrounds, and motivations could make the poem more immersive.

5. **Formatting and Punctuation:**
The poem could benefit from consistent punctuation and formatting to improve readability. Pay attention to the placement of commas, periods, and line breaks to ensure a smoother reading experience.

6. **Length and Pace:**
The poem is quite lengthy, and some sections might be condensed without losing the essence of the narrative. This would improve the overall pace and maintain the reader’s interest.

7. **Clarity of Message:**
While the poem is rich in narrative, it could be clearer in its underlying message or theme. Consider refining the central message or exploring a specific theme to provide a stronger sense of purpose to the poem.

Remember, these suggestions are subjective, and you may choose to keep or adjust elements based on your artistic intent and style. Overall, it’s a compelling piece with potential for further refinement.