A farmer once worked hard a plot and a poor one at that.
Held his own in worn-out boots and a felt fedora hat.
Stood six-foot more of might and strength, dared none made threat his stead.
A hardy sort, as I recall, though he a long time dead.
He'd fatten pigs and thin the beet, a haggled fair and square.
Yoke a pair of chestnut mares, knowing spring was in the air.
He of his lot where toiled alone, he loved but never wed.
A lonely sort, as I recall, though he a long time dead.
And gifted he in many things, a ploughman, smith, a poet.
He'd shod a horse whilst quoting, Yeats and others, too, of note.
Done his day, queer stuff he'd read, strange ramblings in his head.
A clever sort, as I recall, though he a long time dead.
In dark a mood and whiskey tears, he'd damn his lonesome life.
He pining for his Rosaleen, "She should a been me wife!"
He dare not ask her for her hand for he in shyness bred.
If once but dared and said she, aye. Would he, a long time dead?
A farmer was, he of a time, he toiled where there but one.
He lived out yon, beyond the edge where few before had gone.
"If love be life," he'd oft' times say, "then truth in what I've read.
A man who shies from lovin’ is a man a long time dead."
Delirious when nigh the end, he a-beckoned her, "Come here!
Oh Rosaleen, me darlin’ girl, come hither to me dear."
And she, in dreams, approaching him, a tenderly, she tread.
A gentle sort, as I recall, though she a long time dead.
-
Author:
Tony Grannell (
Offline) - Published: October 13th, 2026 07:25
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 13
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Kevin Hulme, Teddy.15, Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments6
A most thoroughly enjoyed read, Tony 🙏🏻🕊️
Hello, arqios,
That you enjoyed this one, gladdens me and as now and always thank you ever so much.
Fond regards,
Tony.
As ever my friend, 👍🏻🙏🏻🕊️
The character development in this poem was marvelous Tony. The repeated phrase as the last line in each stanza gives it such a folk like feel and adds power to the meaning. I had to read it more than one time to get the full meaning (being a little slow). It carries such a haunted feel that memories persiste long beyond the life of those that inspired them. Another wonderful write my friend. Wishing you a splendid day
Hello, Soren,
Your lovely response is very much appreciated, inspiring an greatly valued. A little bit slow myself.
You too have a splendid day, my friend,
Tony
My pleasure Tony you have a great day as well
There’s a lovely ballad quality here, with the worn boots, chestnut mares, smithing, poetry, and whiskey tears building a portrait of a man whose strength in every other part of life couldn’t overcome his shyness in love. The recurring “though he a long time dead” gives the poem its ache, but that final image of Rosaleen approaching him tenderly in his dreams is the keeper for me, because it grants these two lonely souls one last moment of closeness that life never quite allowed them.
Hello, Thomas,
I can't thank you enough for your most splendid response. It heartens me, truly, the old bard that, I am.
Wishing you much happinness,
Tony.
A Poem of What might have been for the Farmer. 'Faint Heart never Won' etc.
A definite fave.
Hello. Kevin,
What might have been indeed. The curse of shyness found many a lonely heart. I'm always delighted when you drop by, thank you ever so much.
Fond regards,
Tony.
No problem. Thank you.
A lovely Yarn this Tuesday evening, a believe I have just met a farmer and his beloved. Your language and imagery as ever is truly exquisite 🌹
Hello, Teddy,
They would have been a lovely couple, alas, shyness interfered. You dropping by always delights me; as of now and always, I am most grateful.
Fond regards,
Tony.
Oh, Tony, this one got me! What a sad life to contemplate. I couldn't help thinking about how many people have gone to their graves carrying regrets they never found the courage to confront. Wonderful storytelling, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Hello, Tristan,
It is awfully sad, happiness denied because of shyness. Your words are very much appreciated, my friend.
God bless,
Tony.
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