A Youth Mowing

By D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence 1885–1930

There are four men mowing down by the Isar;

I can hear the swish of the scythe-strokes, four

Sharp breaths taken: yea, and I

Am sorry for what's in store.

The first man out of the four that's mowing

Is mine, I claim him once and for all;

Though it's sorry I am, on his young feet, knowing

None of the trouble he's led to stall.

As he sees me bringing the dinner, he lifts

His head as proud as a deer that looks

Shoulder-deep out of the corn; and wipes

His scythe-blade bright, unhooks

The scythe-stone and over the stubble to me.

Lad, thou hast gotten a child in me,

Laddie, a man thou'lt ha'e to be,

Yea, though I'm sorry for thee.

Biography

English writer D.H. Lawrence’s prolific and diverse output included novels, short stories, poems, plays, essays, travel books, paintings, translations, and literary criticism. His collected works represent an extended reflection upon the dehumanizing effects of modernity and industrialization. In them, Lawrence confronts issues relating to emotional health and vitality, spontaneity, human sexuality and instinct. After a brief . . .

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