Michael Lester
A Sassafras Flower in the Alfalfa Hay Loft
She’s the proverbial farmer’s daughter, and as you might expect if you’ve ever seen any L’il Abner cartoons, a fetching eyeful of geometric perfection. Her skimpy polka-dot top and clinging red shorts leave little to the imagination… only enough to drive a young man wild. I’ve just turned sixteen and pa lets me drive the tractor down the dirt road to Sally’s house on the alfalfa farm about one mile south of our cattle ranch. I’m dressed up like it’s Sunday morning, my hair all slicked back with axle grease, except for the fierce cowlick that won’t stay down for nothing. I plan on asking Sally to be my partner at the square dance next Saturday night, if she’s not already promised to Franklin Goosefeather, the local native American boy, or one of them Irish boys with their faces full of freckles, pug noses, and red hair. I even brought her some lavender from the fields other side of the railroad tracks down past the sassafras stand and some homemade marmalade ma fixed up from the orange tree and spooned into a mason jar. Only thing, I forgot to shine my shoes and there’s still a bit of cow manure on the soles, which does stink to high heaven. But I’ll wipe the soles off on the wet grass and run the tops of my shoes on the back of my pant leg before I knock on the door. If Sally’s mother answers, I’ll give her the marmalade, but not the lavender… that’s for Sally. I should’ve brought a cigar for Sally’s pa, but I ran out of time on account of the short winter days and pa won’t let me touch his humidor. The last time he caught me fiddling with his cigars, he took me behind the barn and whipped me good with a green willow switch. I was only twelve then, but I still remember how my bottom felt for the next few days after that whipping.
Sally says
lavender is her favorite
and wouldn’t I
like to go see the hayloft
before her pa gets home
About the Author
Michael H. Lester’s work has been widely published in prestigious poetry journals, has been translated into several languages, and has won numerous awards worldwide. His recent publications include two illustrated children’s books, Cassandra and the Strange Tale of the Blue-Footed Boobies, Johnny and Frankie’s Summer Sleepover, a book of poetry, Notes from a Commode: Volume I, and a picture book entitled, The Squeeping Catterwhip.