Farmhand by James K.

Baxter
‘Farmhand’ by James K. Baxter is a five stanza poem that is divided into sets of four lines, also
called quatrains. These quatrains vary in a number of different ways, but are unified through one
important element.

They are unique from one another in their line lengths, pattern of meter, syllable numbers and
word choice, but the poet has chosen to unify them through his use of punctuation. Each stanza is
made up of one long phrase that ends with a period in the fourth line.

This punctuation choice means that each stanza is itself a separate thought, or scene. The first set
of lines show the main character from one angle, then the second, from his own perspective, and
so on, until the reader reaches the end of the narrative.

Summary of Farmhand
‘Farmhand’ by James K. Baxter describes the lack of confidence that a farmhand has regarding
his appearance and relationship prospects.

The poem begins with the speaker describing an interesting man who is both social and
contemplative. He can often be found watching the dance floor of a music hall and observing all
the beautiful comings and goings. It becomes clear that this man never does more than observe.
He does not see himself as deserving, or as being suited to, the life of a lover.

The farmhand, down on his own life and appearance, is able to take some comfort in the fact that
he can still “hope” something good will happen to him.

In the final lines the speaker asks the reader not to judge the man based on how he looks, or what
he thinks he doesn’t have, but on what he displays during the harvest season. The man is
uncommonly strong and hardworking. He also shows off a gentle side that he takes advantage of
to care for machinery.

Analysis of Farmhand
Stanza One
In the first stanza the speaker, who is not the main character of the poem, introduces the reader to
the “farmhand.” The poet has made the decision to thrust the reader into this narrative right in the
middle of the action. The farmhand is experiencing a moment, and a set of emotions, which are
common in his life.

The speaker places the farmhand in the scene “leaning” against the “hall door,” lighting a
cigarette. This briefly described image is enough to give the reader a sense of who this person is,
or at least what the narrator thinks of him. The narrator sees his actions as being “careless.” The
man does not seem to consider those around him as he moves, or perhaps he does not think about
whether his action of smoking is allowed in this particular place.

One might come upon the farmhand in this location, or, the speaker says, one might find him
“telling some new joke / to a friend.” It is clear that this man is social and confident enough to
tell untested jokes to his friends. He is not alone in his life.

In the final phrase the farmhand is said to sometimes be found “looking out into the secret
night.” This statement, especially when considered with the first (regarding his leaning against
the door frame), paint the man as being rather contemplative.

The farmhand looks out windows, staring into the distance, enough to where one might look to
find him there. This personality trait seems somewhat at odds with the man who confidently tells
jokes to friends. These aspects of his life add up to make him a more interesting, and ideally
endearing character.

Stanza Two
In the second stanza the speaker continues on to state that even if the man spends a good amount
of time staring outside, his eyes always end up back in one place. He returns his attention to the
“dance floor” and to the “girls drifting like flowers.”

Before the description of the dance or bar is furthered, one is already able to tell it will be
romanticized. The women are not dancing, but “drifting.” They are not women, but “flowers.”
The world of social and romantic engagement, through the farmhand’s eyes, is unattainably
perfect.

The man is only able to spend a short time considering the beauty that he sees playing itself out
on the dance floor. His mind is quickly forced into a pattern of thinking which is much too
familiar. The “music” makes its way into his head and breaks “an old wound open.”

Stanza Three
It is at this point in the poem that the farmhand’s main internal struggle is revealed. The entire
poem hinges around the reasons why the farmhand believes he is not suited to any other life than
the one he has thus far been living. The man’s connection to this music returns him to his real
life. He begins to (not for the first time) take stock of his own body. He remembers his “sunburnt
face and hairy hands.” He sees them in contrast to the flower-like women and believes that he
was “not made for dancing” or more importantly, for “love-making.”

Solely based on the mental image he holds of his own worth and position, he believes that love is
not meant for him. He thinks that he is better suited for breaking the earth with a plough and for
the “crops” that seem to grow as slowly as his mind does.

Stanza Four
The fourth stanza continues on this path, describing all the things the farmhand believes he can’t
have, and how he misses them.

He aches over the fact that the has “no girl” who runs her fingers through his hair. There are no
intimate moments with another person that he can cherish, nor are there happy times with
“giggl[ing],” and “Sunday…walk[s].”

The only things that he has to hold on to are his “awkward hopes” and his “envious dreams.”
They show him what he thinks he can’t have, but also comfort him with the reminder that, just
maybe, it’s still possible.

Stanza Five
In the final stanza the narrator’s voice is more apparent. He is now speaking directly to the reader
and asking that one not judge the farmhand over what he does not have, or what he lacks in
confidence. One should wait until the harvest and “watch him” as he works. An observer would
see him lifting “effortless[ly]” and showing off his strength, humbly, to the world.

One would also see his tender side, something he takes advantage of to fix, and care for,
machinery. He “listen[s],” like a “lover” hearing a song, to a “new tractor engine.”

These final lines prove that this man, although he does not see it in himself, has all the attributes
of a lover. He does not need to change who he is to become better, or fit into a mold.