Summer may be over but there’s much to look forward to as the weather cools and we pull out sweaters and scarves that have been waiting patiently to be snuggled up in. Afternoon walks in the park, wiping the dew off the playground swings and the crunching of leaves underfoot that have turned to autumnal shades of yellow, red and gold are on my mind these days. I love you Summer, but Fall is most welcome after such a long, dry go.
The benefits of our long growing season bring a bountiful harvest of apples, brussel sprouts, parsnips, pears, cauliflower and lovely squashes and gourds. I’m thinking soups, roasted veggies with balsamic and herbs, and yummy healthful casseroles to prepare ahead for the shorter days and longer, cosy nights. And of course, there’s Thanksgiving.
So take a moment to breathe in the cool crisp air. Then, send thanks to the farmer’s who worked tirelessly to make it happen as I’m sure they’d appreciate it. The people closest to them probably do too as witnessed by this sweet poem, as imagined by the author, an SFU student studying food writing. In her words,
“I started writing this poem about any farmer in general. But I do know farmer’s wives that this poem has made laugh and smile thinking about their own lives. I’m happy to put a fun twist on the farming experience.”
Ode to a Farmer Poetry Contest Winner
Ode to a Farmer, From his Love
By Taylor Theodore
I see you out in the field day after day
I see you on the tractor plowing away
I see you early mornings before the sun is awake
I see you late nights praying for your plants to take
I see you hunched over pulling the weeds
I see you spray water for photosynthesis needs
I see you dance around while expecting the rain
I see you jumping for joy when that day finally came
I see you are proud to feed the people around town
I see you smile when they can’t put your produce down
I see you burst with joy when our kids want to help
I see you are patient when they tried to plant kelp
I see you year after year with a smile on your face
I see you not being able to live any other place
I see you healthy and happy farming away
I see you ecstatic for the crop grown today
I see you are grateful for everything in life
I see you are thankful that I stayed a farmer’s wife
Now that you’ve got the harvest season on your mind, visit your local farmer’s market to gather ideas for your Thanksgiving feast. To read more entries in the Ode to a Farmer poetry contest you can go to BCFarmersMarket.org
Thank you for reading.
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