Farm Instructor
afternoon chores and the sun
is three hours past its highest point
hot on their dark heads they seek the shade
behind the big barn, the boys
four of them including Ronny
decide to take their chance to run
and on a silent cue
they take off
across the open grass and down the slope
breaking through tree branches
shadow dappled panic
hearts beat faster than chased rabbits
skinny legs push for home
boughs cracking toward light and a chance
wordless spirited breaths follow
one another
and the farm instructor inside his house
boots off, already drunk
in his chair by the south window, dreaming
sun-warmth on his forearm and right thigh
and when he hears about the boys he releases
a heavy sigh
stiff with the beating he’ll give
the one he catches first
he laces his boots and sends the hand for the truck
hopes to be back before dark
it’ll be Ronny who feels the rough hands
of the farm instructor
pull him easily to the ground
heavy knee on his narrow chest
the breath crushed from his lungs
as he steels himself to be beaten
like a man