Poetry by Christie Dickason

Grading Eggs

Small, medium large,
eggs roll down the chute
faster than the hands can…
pick, place, feed
the relentless...
need more trays...
Small medium large...
each task rolls at us faster than...
Small, medium, large
creatures cry for care
Hold her firm beneath the shears
Hold small head to teat
Lift chick
Hold breath - a small death
Dark, medium, light
work drives hands
clear ground,
clip sheep
plough, repair
harrow, weed
call the vet
The rush is on,
behind again...a new need...
wash, load
pack,
muck out
milk cows
turn out
pause to teach
fill order forms
then telephone.
Grow arms like brances
hands like leaves,
still no time to...
large, medium, small...
...to do it all.