Farmer Bennett

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — a poem card from Justes Mots

A grim portrait of a brutal old farmer who uses violence and intimidation to control laborers, women, and those beneath him socially. The narrator expresses anger at his cruelty and contempt for those outside his grasp. The poem serves as a dark social commentary unsuitable for most greeting-card purposes but valuable for literary reflection on power and abuse.

Old Farmer Bennett followed these
Upon his big-boned savage black
Whose mule-teeth yellowed to bite back
Whatever came within his reach.
Old Bennett sat him like a leech.
The grim old rider seemed to be
As hard about the mouth as he.
…

Themes: love · new-baby · wedding · friendship