“Ceres’ Farm Ritual”

canary of corn tops / maple trees squawking fire / grass praying for sight / withered harvest / farmers pluck gilded veins from their bodies / pouring life into tilled ground / despite / never knowing if they’ll become saviors or sinners / hunched over on rattly knees / farmers are revived by Ceres / reaping crows of autumn / unclenching throats / purging fingernail dirt / one of these days / she’s going to smash out tractor headlights / become dusk’s guide / and shepherd a farmer to her love