The Pasture

I’m going out to clean the pasture spring; I’ll only stop to rake the leaves away (And wait to watch the water clear, I may) I shan’t be gone long.—You come too. I’m going out to fetch the little calf That’s standing by the mother. It’s so young, It totters when she licks it with her tongue. I shan’t be gone long.—You come too.

The connector of the field is lined with trees; I’ll bring a wheelbarrow full of leaves. (White birches and red oaks and a bush) I shan’t be gone long.—You come too.

I’m going out to clean the pasture spring; I’ll only stop to rake the leaves away (And wait to watch the water clear, I may) I shan’t be gone long.—You come too.

• William Carlos Williams