Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GENTLER JOYS, by RUTH FOSS BREWER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GENTLER JOYS, by                    
First Line: I saw a span of oxen plodding down
Last Line: We had not left behind the gentler joys.


I saw a span of oxen plodding down
The shady streets of Clinton yesterday --
All unperturbed they went upon their way
Despite the rush of cars that jammed the town.
A siren shrieked -- a booted chauffeur swore --
A bread-truck jammed its brake -- a traffic-cop
Upheld a massive fist for them to stop --
They turned to right and paused beside a store.

I watched the farmer grope below the seat
For lumpy bags of grain and nimbly jump
Across the wheel, then pat the shaggy rump
Of both before he ambled down the street
And wondered if, with all our rush and noise
We had not left behind the gentler joys.





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