Drying Hay

a poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

This early morning
slightly overcast
an aroma of drying hay is tickling my memory
it was on a day like this
we met sitting side-by-side
having our lunch al fresco
you leaned back
closed your eyes
and pretended to take in the sun
when I kissed your hungry lips.
Then a cool shadow
we looked up and the horseman of irony sat there
smiling sarcastically as you buttoned your blouse!
yet a few days later we got the dry hay into the barn
and no animal was going to starve that coming winter,
later in September you married Torvald
the biggest farmer in the district
and as I was serving drinks in the banquet hall,
your wedding was a big affair
looked up and saw the rider of destiny
sit on top of you wedding cake
and mockingly smile.