Walked by hand, runs by itself

A circle of teeth rotates slowly,
preparing all that is in it's mouth for deadly impact

Cuts grass, weeds,
Slashes reed,
Chops blackberry vines,
Hacks hidden garden hose,
Rips scars in uneven soil,

Severs unfortunate caterpillars,
Terrorizes fleeing vole...

Wounds, field dressed by falling leaves
Autumn rain sheets
Winter snow blankets

Green, the colour of Spring
Yellow, the colour of Summer

Stones and concealed wire fence will bring the violence to a temporary halt,
so does running out of gasoline...

Switching off the running,
the farm girl stops walking...

"the grim reaper"

on a Puget Island Washington farm