It hasn't rained for days.

And the harvest season is nearing its end.

The crop isn't ripe.

It is ruined yet for another year.

Last year it was the rain.

And this year it is the drought.

 

The weary farmer is patient.

He has seen many a crop ruined.

He has laboured to witness it yet again.

The weary weather battler won't give up.

He isn't beaten yet.

 

He prepares the earth again for next year believing it won't happen again.

He toils day and night to sow his seeds in time.

Now the rain has arrived and there isn't much left to be done.

The land lover leans back and hopes for a better reward.

AA 23 March 1971