'Emergency Haying' by Hayden Carruth
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Coming home with the last load I ride standing
on the wagon tongue, behind the tractor
in hot exhaust, lank with sweat,
my arms strung
awkwardly along the hayrack, cruciform.
Almost 5OO bales we've put up
this afternoon, Marshall and I.
And of course I think of another who hung
like this on another cross. My hands are torn
by baling twine, not nails, and my side is pierced
by my ulcer, not a lance. The acid in my throat
is only hayseed. Yet exhaustion and the way
my body hangs from twisted shoulders, suspended
on two points of pain in the rising
monoxide, recall that greater suffering.
Well, I change grip and the image
fades. It's been an unlucky summer. Heavy rains
brought on the grass tremendously, a monster crop,
but wet, always wet. Haying was long delayed.
Now is our last chance to bring in
the winter's feed, and Marshall needs help.
We mow, rake, bale, and draw the bales
to the barn, these late, half-green,
improperly cured bales; some weight l5O pounds
or more, yet must be lugged by the twine
across the field, tossed on the load, and then
at the barn unloaded on the conveyor
and distributed in the loft. I help-
I, the desk-servant, word-worker-
and hold up my end pretty well too; but God,
the close of day, how I fall down then. My hands
are sore, they flinch when I light my pipe.
I think of those who have done slave labor,
less able and less well prepared than I.
Rose Marie in the rye fields of Saxony,
her father in the camps of Moldavia
and the Crimea, all clerks and housekeepers
herded to the gaunt fields of torture. Hands
too bloodied cannot bear
even the touch of air, even
the touch of love. I have a friend
whose grandmother cut cane with a machete
and cut and cut, until one day
she snicked her hand off and took it
and threw it grandly at the sky. Now
in September our New England mountains
under a clear sky for which we're thankful at last
begin to glow, maples, beeches, birches
in their first color. I look
beyond our famous hayfields to our famous hills,
to the notch where the sunset is beginning,
then in the other direction, eastward,
where a full new-risen moon like a pale
medallion hangs in a lavender cloud
beyond the barn. My eyes
sting with sweat and loveliness. And who
is the Christ now, who
if not I? It must be so. My strength
is legion. And I stand up high
on the wagon tongue in my whole bones to say
woe to you, watch out
you sons of bitches who would drive men and women
to the fields where they can only die.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Emergency Haying: A Critical Interpretation
Introduction
Hayden Carruth's poem, Emergency Haying, is a poignant reflection on the cycle of life and the inevitability of death. Through a series of vivid images and richly detailed descriptions, the poet takes us on a journey through the fields of Vermont, where the farmers are rushing to save their hay before the storm hits. But beneath the surface of this urgent activity lies a deeper sense of human frailty and mortality, as the workers confront the harsh realities of the natural world and the passage of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context that make Emergency Haying such a powerful and enduring work of art.
Historical Context
To fully appreciate the significance of Emergency Haying, it is important to understand the cultural and historical context in which it was written. The poem was published in 1967, at a time when the United States was deeply divided by the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. Many poets and writers were turning away from traditional forms of poetry and literature, and exploring more experimental and avant-garde styles. Carruth himself was part of this movement, and his work is often characterized by its rejection of conventional poetic techniques and its focus on everyday experiences and emotions.
At the same time, Carruth was deeply influenced by the natural world and the rhythms of rural life. He spent many years living in Vermont, where he worked as a farmer and a teacher, and his poetry often reflects the landscape, climate, and culture of this region. In Emergency Haying, he captures the urgency of a critical moment in the farming calendar, when the farmers must work together to save their crops from the approaching storm. But he also uses this experience as a metaphor for the larger themes of human life and death, and the way in which we must confront our own mortality in the face of forces beyond our control.
Themes
One of the key themes of Emergency Haying is the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death. Throughout the poem, the workers are acutely aware of the fragility of their hay crop and the danger posed by the approaching storm. They work tirelessly to save their harvest, but they know that they are ultimately powerless against the forces of nature. This sense of vulnerability is mirrored in the larger context of the poem, where the workers are forced to confront the reality of their own mortality. Carruth writes:
As we work, the thunderstorm approaches, the heavy clouds massing, the lightning flickering here and there, now and then advancing across the hills toward us, the wind sighing and sobbing among the leaves and the grasses.
This passage captures the sense of impending doom that hangs over the poem, as the workers race against time to finish their work before the storm arrives. But it also suggests a deeper sense of existential anxiety, as the workers confront the fragility of their own lives in the face of the storm. The use of onomatopoeia and sensory imagery creates a vivid and immersive experience for the reader, drawing us into the world of the workers and allowing us to feel their fear and uncertainty.
Another important theme of the poem is the power of community and cooperation in the face of adversity. Throughout the poem, we see the workers working together to save their hay crop, sharing tools and resources and supporting each other through the difficult task at hand. Carruth writes:
We have come to the last minute, the last rod, before the storm will be on us, we are still working, we are piling the dry grasses high on the wagon, forkful by forkful, we are shaking the bales down tight.
This passage highlights the way in which the workers are able to come together and accomplish a common goal, despite their individual differences and limitations. It also suggests a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, as the workers refuse to give up or succumb to despair. This message of community and cooperation is particularly relevant in the context of the 1960s, when many Americans were struggling to find common ground in the midst of social and political upheaval.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking literary devices in Emergency Haying is the use of imagery and sensory detail to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. Throughout the poem, Carruth uses richly descriptive language to capture the sights, sounds, and smells of the Vermont landscape, from the "thickening air" to the "heavy clouds massing" and the "lightning flickering here and there." These sensory details not only help to create a sense of urgency and tension in the poem, but also allow the reader to feel as if they are actually in the midst of the storm with the workers.
Another important literary device in the poem is the use of repetition and parallelism to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. Carruth repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, such as the "forkful by forkful" repetition in the passage quoted above, or the use of the word "we" to emphasize the collective nature of the workers' efforts. This repetition creates a sense of unity and purpose in the poem, and also helps to build towards the climactic moment when the workers finally finish their work and the storm arrives.
Finally, the poem makes use of metaphor and symbolism to convey its deeper themes and messages. For example, the hay crop can be seen as a symbol for human life, with the workers struggling to save it from the forces of nature just as we struggle to protect ourselves from illness, accidents, and other external threats. The storm itself can also be seen as a metaphor for death, with its ominous approach and destructive power representing the finality of human existence. By using these symbols and metaphors, Carruth is able to convey complex ideas and emotions in a way that is accessible and meaningful for the reader.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emergency Haying is a powerful and poignant work of art that explores themes of mortality, community, and resilience through the lens of a critical moment in the farming calendar. Through its use of vivid imagery, sensory detail, and literary devices such as repetition and metaphor, the poem creates a sense of urgency and tension that draws the reader into the world of the workers and allows us to feel their fear, uncertainty, and hope. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder of the fragility of human life, the importance of community and cooperation, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emergency Haying: A Poem That Captures the Essence of Rural Life
Hayden Carruth's poem "Emergency Haying" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of rural life. The poem is a vivid description of the hard work and dedication that goes into farming, and the sense of community that is built around it. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with a sense of urgency, as the speaker describes the need to cut the hay before the rain comes. The first line, "In haytime weather, when the sky / Is all blue and the sun is high," sets the scene for the poem. The speaker is describing a specific moment in time, when the weather is perfect for haying. The urgency of the situation is emphasized by the repetition of the word "now" in the second stanza: "Now is the time to cut the hay, / Now, before the rain comes."
The poem then shifts to a description of the work that goes into haying. The speaker describes the "sweat and strain" of cutting the hay, and the "rattle and whir" of the machinery. The language here is visceral and evocative, capturing the physicality of the work. The repetition of the word "and" in these lines emphasizes the relentlessness of the work: "And the mower's teeth bite and snarl, / And the rake tines catch and whirl, / And the baler's wire clacks and curls."
As the poem progresses, the sense of community around haying becomes more apparent. The speaker describes the "neighboring farmers" who come to help, and the "boys and girls" who pitch in. The language here is warm and inviting, emphasizing the sense of camaraderie that comes with working together: "And the neighboring farmers come, / With pitchforks and wagons and baling twine, / And the boys and girls, with their laughter and fun, / Help load the hay in the hot sunshine."
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker describes the darker side of farming. The "old men" who come to help are described as "stooped and slow," and the speaker acknowledges that they are "fading away." The language here is poignant and reflective, capturing the bittersweet nature of rural life: "And the old men, stooped and slow, / Who have worked these fields for years and years, / Are fading away, like the hay they mow, / And soon will be gone, leaving only tears."
The poem ends with a sense of resolution, as the hay is finally baled and the rain begins to fall. The speaker describes the "sweet smell of hay" and the "coolness of the rain," and the language here is soothing and calming: "And the sweet smell of hay fills the air, / And the coolness of the rain is a balm, / And we know that we have done our share, / And the world is right, and we are calm."
Overall, "Emergency Haying" is a powerful poem that captures the beauty and complexity of rural life. The poem's structure, with its shifting tones and perspectives, mirrors the ebb and flow of the haying process itself. The language is vivid and evocative, capturing the physicality of the work and the warmth of the community. And the poem's themes of hard work, dedication, and the passage of time are universal, resonating with readers from all walks of life.
In conclusion, "Emergency Haying" is a classic poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by all. Its themes and language are timeless, and its message of community and hard work is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. Whether you are a farmer or a city-dweller, this poem will speak to you on a deep and meaningful level. So take a moment to read it, and let its beauty and wisdom wash over you.
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