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Village Threshing-Rock

   
Right up close  
on the south side of our house  
lies the village threshing-rock  
held in common, owned by no-one -    
though no longer used  
for its original purpose, 
it carries unknown histories  
dating back centuries  
holding stories of a stage  
in making bread.    
Vertical integration. From farm to table.  
   
Three hours ago it had a heap of my lenha* on it  
so I got up early to wheelbarrow and stack it under cover  
before it outstayed its welcome  
before it got too hot to work  
before the forecast rain came (which it might not).  
Then I brushed the rock clean of bark and bits  
as a ritual to honour its longevity.  
I took the photo ten minutes ago  
and sat down in the garden to write this.    
It’s 10.45 a.m. Time for breakfast now.  
The bread will taste different today.
Written by Josh (Joshua Bond)
Published | Edited 9th Mar 2024
Author's Note
NaPo Day-22 contribution. * ‘Lenha’ is the Portuguese word for wood, cut & split ready for the wood-burning stoves.

(photo credit: Joshua Bond)
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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