` br br br br He hunched with sweat-drenched brow br his sickle lay beside uncut stalks br the insects droned toward blood br that trickled from the web of his hand br He quickly wrapped the wound - br br br Throughout the day he worked br the scent of ripened rice filled the air br against the threat of early rains br to gather and thresh the golden grain br Dreamless sleep his reward - br br The sun shone low in the sky br the field now a barber's Number-2 br the sound of children's play lit the air br smoke of the evening meal met the clouds br A cold drink soothes his hands br br br br `br br Ricky 'Freds' Kesnerbr br