The Road to San Joaquin

A wind-mill clanks above the plain,

Birds ruffle on humming pole-wires;

Alfalfa wind after spring rain

Stirs puddle roads splashed by cart tires.

The stage collects milk-cans, and leaves

At driveway gates rural-box letters.

Through barbed route-fence morning grass breathes,

Jack rabbits bound green valley fetters.

Against clod leaves feet thump wild flight,

Robins sail dark by silo tower.

Teams jolt between wide farms, wheel plight

Sprays mud of ruts on field-edge flower.

Breeze loosens barns, straw drips from loft,

Windows through house blow sun-path weather.

Rustling nest wing, from smooth limb, soft

Gust floats to field the warm breast-feather.