free-verse28 lines
Land Clearing.
by James McIntyreThe first winter which I did spend
In Canada was with a friend,
And when the snow had passed away
Quite early in the month of May.
Friend started off for a barn raising,
And told me to get stumps ablazing,
Around each stump I heaped a pile
Of roots and junks of wood so vile.
For he wished the field to clear
So it a crop of wheat would rear,
And there was one high withered pine
Which was full of turpentine.
As soon as I applied the torch,
Blaze quick did start and it did scorch
The fences, and the woods were nigh,
For the old tree it blazed on high.
I was the only man or boy
Near there that day and found employ
In saving of the house and barn,
Thus early fire fiend did me warn.
Fire started and with it a breeze
Carried the sparks 'mong leaves of trees,
I did work hard but for recompense
All was saved but a few rails of fence.
Man in spring logging oft awakes
From winter slumbers nests of snakes,
And listens to the music grand
Of bull frogs, our Canadian band.