cold bleeds into the valley
mr.oates calmly plods
from field to field
to sow and sow
seed upon seed
of lost labor and stubborn love
mr.oates knows death
as death and cold
descend
hand in hand
upon the homestead
mr.oates sighs
mr.oates turns in
for once more
death and cold
take their time
knowing spring comes late
knowing
mr.oates won't try again