Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MORNING ON THE FARM, by WALT MASON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MORNING ON THE FARM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Get up, my lad! The sun is rising, it is a
Last Line: Shoulder blades!
Subject(s): Farm Life; Morning; Mothers & Sons; Youth; Agriculture; Farmers


GET up, my lad! The sun is rising, it is a most majestic day; Aurora's beauties

are surprising, you should be glad to quit the hay. Get up, get up, the dew is
gleaming, like priceless jewels on the grass; it is a sin to lie here dreaming,

while morning's transient glories pass. Get up, my son, the light is stealing
athwart the summit of the hill, and I can hear the porkers squealing for buckets

of refreshing swill. The oriole's already soaring, the mocking bird begins to
mock, and you, O sluggish youth, are snoring, although it's nearly four o'clock!

When I was young my sainted father ne'er had to rouse me from my bed; I thought

it shame to cause such bother—I rose before the East was red. Before the
wren began its carols, or catbird raised its solo fine, I went and carried seven

barrels of slop to feed the humpbacked swine. I went about my labors singing, as

I would see you do, my son; and when the breakfast bell was ringing, the morning

chores were always done. Get up, get up, the world is waking! The morn is grand,

but soon it fades! And in three shakes I will be breaking this slat across your

shoulder blades!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net