November 8th, 1982
                                                     by Tracy

FARM SALE
800 ACRES
House • Machinery • Miscellaneous
Come Early, Stay Late,
Be Prepared to BUY!
Lunch served by the Lutheran Church Ladies

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

A crowd
huddled for warmth
and safe anonymity,
a milling of mixed plaids
and canvas coveralls.
Calloused palms hide
rough-folded bid numbers
and the fingers –
blood-blistered with smashing –
twitch imperceptible
as the auctioneer sings
a death song legato.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

One apart
stands, breath steaming,
work-ruined fists empty,
culled
from a dream of the land.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

On a rise,
soft men, perfumed and polished,
black coats, flapping
waiting for their take.

 

                                                                        

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