Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BROWN PEOPLE HEAR WINTER COMING by INA DRAPER DEFOE

First Line: GOOD IS THE HUT FROM THE TALL, GRACEFUL WILLOW
Last Line: WHEN GHOSTS OF THE SEED SOULS ARE WALKING.
Subject(s): CHICANOS; HARVEST; MEXICAN AMERICANS;
@3(Mexican willow village at harvest time in Sonoma County, California)@1

Good is the hut from the tall, graceful willow
To nest in the short harvest season.
When white winds blow straight from the slumberous ocean,
And the heart is wild without reason.

Good is a patio built in the sunlight,
Of brush and the withering branches,
When there are babies with eyes of brown wonder,
And mothers need work on the ranches.

Safe is the clan life when blue skies are sulky,
And mute earth has taken to talking.
Sweet are the notes of the gay banjo music
When ghosts of the seed souls are walking.



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