07-02-2014, 09:34 AM
Thanks to all who took the time to read and comment on my poem. Clearly, punctuation isn't my forte.
Some took line 14 as a question, which wasn't the intent. Rather, it's an old fashioned manner of speaking that merely confused the statement. Dale offered the appropriate fix.
I would argue Billy's suggestion that 20,000 square bales of hay (sufficient to feed 50 head of cattle over a 220 day housing) is on the low side, but he is by current standards correct. Indeed (outside of the specialized horse market) square bales have largely passed into antiquity. However, this reminiscence was integral to the piece. The number was chosen from (now historical) fact, and I thought it approximate to a biblical multitude. As a former dairy farmer, I might have added, "Blessed are the cheese makers." But that would be to plagiarize the great Pythons.
Glad to be aboard...much enjoying your site.
Some took line 14 as a question, which wasn't the intent. Rather, it's an old fashioned manner of speaking that merely confused the statement. Dale offered the appropriate fix.
I would argue Billy's suggestion that 20,000 square bales of hay (sufficient to feed 50 head of cattle over a 220 day housing) is on the low side, but he is by current standards correct. Indeed (outside of the specialized horse market) square bales have largely passed into antiquity. However, this reminiscence was integral to the piece. The number was chosen from (now historical) fact, and I thought it approximate to a biblical multitude. As a former dairy farmer, I might have added, "Blessed are the cheese makers." But that would be to plagiarize the great Pythons.
Glad to be aboard...much enjoying your site.