Tractor Life

In my next life,

You’ll find me

Outstanding in my field,

Thinking not

A single thought,

Responding only

To the farmer’s touch,

Daily increasing his yield.

Do I refuse to go?

Maybe my propane level’s low.

The gears not moving

Back and forth?

PTO  and ampli-torque

Not fully engaged.

Push the lever.

Watch the rage, Mister!

I am a mere machine.

Hear that complaining

Grinding whine?

There’s a leak

In my hydraulic line,

And the fluids all seeped

Unseen.

Am I not starting up like a teaser?

Spray my starter with a shot of ether,

But I will only do as I’m bid,

And sleep in the barn,

Or the hill,

Or hid

Behind the old oak tree,

Where the dews of night

Will gather and factor

With rust and dust,

For in my next life,

A tractor

I’ll be.

-jenn long