Making Hay

A bow and arrow
a child at play
when summer comes alive
make hay
under the brow
of an oak tree’s shade
two lovers
watch the evening fade,
blood red skies
a setting sun,
a howl of laughter
a barrel of fun,
the scent’s familiar
it spans the years,
freshly mown grass
and childhood fears,
a bloody disaster,
I fell off my bike,
that graze
I swear will end my life,
and if I knew what I know today,
I’d still be there,
still making hay

djh

Yikes... sounds like a terrible accident.
I'm guessing this poem revolves around a fatal accident in which someone felt into the blades of one of those grass-cutting machines?
I'm a little confused, though -- how can the narrator be riding a bike and using the haymaker at the same time?

Hi, thanks for your reply. I guess this is just a really simple “feel good” piece about the Summer and childhood innocence. It’s based on the phrase “make hay while the sun is shining” and doesn’t involve a haymaker as such - it’s a kind of a plea to make the most of your childhood innocence when you have it. That innocence is reflected in the accident where I fall off my bike and think, as children do, that because of “a graze” my days are numbered. Sorry if this is unclear and confusing.

djh

djh,
I enjoyed your "child" poem. Was a fun piece! I think it helps us all
to remember the joys, innocence and honesty of a child. Also reminds
us to enjoy life, slow down, and have a little fun for the moment.
Nice job.

Mary...aka Ladybug