The Farmer’s Wife - Laura Blatt

[Larry Robinson]

The Farmer’s Wife
(In memory of Masako)

She sold tomatoes, corn and peppers
from the wooden stand
by their Fresno farm
surrounded by melon fields
and orange groves.
Apt at the calculator,
she figured out profits
no matter how meager.
In winter
she wore wool checkered shirts.
In summer
a light blouse sufficed
In the intense Central Valley heat.

By day
she hoisted crates of produce
and soothed customers.
In late evening
she walked with her husband
by the irrigation canals.
She could tie a kid’s shoes
tell a good story
or just listen.
She collected family photos
dolls
figurines
and laughed at the clutter.

She survived
sickness
the depression
the internment camp at Tule Lake
and raised four children
who became
doctors
teachers
entrepreneurs.

At eighty-three
she died well-loved
but not yet famous.

	- Laura Blatt
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