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But the Earth Abides

Text of Poem

The windmill squeaks, flaps broken vanes,
The barn needs paint, gates sag, weeds grow,
A manure pile leans against a shed,
Everywhere seeds that decay’s hands sow.

But good news, good news, a new owner comes
With his bride, paint cans, new-fangled machines,
Where the old man gave up the ghost and left
Once more clover learns what the sickle means.

First Line
The windmill squeaks, flaps broken vanes,
Original Pub Location
Original Publication Date
1979
Original Citation
Snake in the Strawberries (1979) 9.
Complete Poems
366
Hearst Collections
Word Count
61
Poetic Form
closed
Themes