"By Brueghel" [by Maria Richardson]

He chose to show for harvest
a time of rest, when there remains

gold to be shaved, full sections
of the cake cut, unevenly

parceled out. But we forget the raw
gold when there is bread, cheese

that makes a fine lace and porridge,
savory or sweet, according to the eye.

There is also the fruit, fresh and fallen
straight into the harvester’s apron

to remind us that some things give
without needing to be worked.

Like the pear tree, they deserve
to stand before the view

to support the sprawled man
who sleeps heavy with sin or clean

conscience. Or neither, or both,
but certainly too settled at the root

to hear the watchman or the bells
far behind the branches.

-- Maria Richardson