The toolbox on my tractor Has a little tray. So I can take with things I need, Or just think I may. I’m sure it was intended When it was brand new, To hold a set of wrenches Perhaps a pliers or two. A set of sockets all laid out In a nice straight row, With a crescent wrench and hammer In the space below. The engineer who drew it up, I’m quite sure had no thought, That it should hold most every tool I have ever bought. As field work starts out in the spring, The box is pretty neat. And finding just the tool I need Is really quite a treat. Then as the grain drill finds some junk Left from that old fence line, The toolbox starts to gain some weight; That’s not a real good sign. Soon we start to cultivate And then begin to spray. With each job different kinds of scrap Pile up inside the tray. Shear bolts from the combine Are pretty hard to tell, From ones that fit the ditcher And the snow blower as well. Beet harvest brings a challenge To slip in an extra part, That I may need to fix a truck When it just won’t start. Some 60 chain, a scalper knife, Perhaps an extra flail. ’Til squeezing in just one more thing Has no way but to fail. I can’t get to the bottom To find the wrench I need. I planted scrap iron in the spring And now it’s gone to seed. Life is like that toolbox, Some times too filled with stuff. So take some time this winter, Clean out the worthless stuff.
2 Comments
Nancy Miller
3/23/2011 11:04:49 am
I really enjoy your poems and particularly enjoyed a recent one about going to the quilt store with your wife. I told my husband to save it for me, but of course, he forgot. Is there any way I could get a copy? I've found every one but that one. I think it must have been in the February, 2011 issue. Keep up the good work.
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Write Field column is written by David Kragnes. David farms near Felton, MN. He is a former Chairman of American Crystal Sugar Co., and currently serves on the board of directors of CoBank.
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