The Poetry Corner

Harry Ploughman

By Gerard Manley Hopkins

Hard as hurdle arms, with a broth of goldish flue Breathed round; the rack of ribs; the scooped flank; lank Rope-over thigh; knee-nave; and barrelled shank - Head and foot, shoulder and shank - By a grey eye's heed steered well, one crew, fall to; Stand at stress. Each limb's barrowy brawn, his thew That onewhere curded, onewhere sucked or sank - Soared or sank - , Though as a beechbole firm, finds his, as at a roll- call, rank And features, in flesh, what deed he each must do - His sinew-service where do. He leans to it, Harry bends, look. Back, elbow, and liquid waist In him, all quail to the wallowing o' the plough:'s cheek crimsons; curls Wag or crossbridle, in a wind lifted, windlaced - See his wind- lilylocks -laced; Churlsgrace, too, child of Amansstrength, how it hangs or hurls Them - broad in bluff hide his frowning feet lashed! raced With, along them, cragiron under and cold furls - With-a-fountain's shining-shot furls.