Bringing in the Hay

Driving home and feeling the water in the air and seeing it floating, white, in the sky. Inside eating greasy hot chicken out of a box as fast as possible. Trying to find my boots while a fat excited puppy chases after me. Riding on the trailer up the dirt road and seeing rows and rows of bales. Knowing it was a good cut. Pushing the bales into place as soon as there on the trailer. Slipping when the tractor goes over a bump. Watching the dogs and some birds look for animals in the field. Riding back with hay in my hair, itchy. Stacking bales with my dad and brother. Trying not to get in the way. Feeling the first raindrops. Hurrying back to the field. Stacking faster in the almost dark. Getting wet. The tractor lights showing, one more row. Arms feeling tired. Swaying on top of 4 layers of bales on top of the world. Hurrying as the rain comes down and makes you cold. Back to the hay stack. Almost falling of the edge in the dark. Placing the last bale. Pulling the tarp over. The rain coming down hard. running to the house, laughing. Walking through the bright warm house with soaked heavy jeans. Soft new close and warm soup. Thinking " we beat the rain"