“Reapers” by Jean Toomer (literature text, p. 941)
Black reapers with the sound of steel on stones
Are sharpening scythes. I see them place the hones1
In their hip-pockets as a thing that's done,
And start their silent swinging, one by one.
Black horses drive a mower through the weeds,
And there, a field rat, startled, squealing bleeds,
His belly close to ground. I see the blade,
Blood-stained, continue cutting weeds and shade.