to warm the copper nose

for all this sweetness so much sweat and pain
the lash that bites and draws fresh blood
men's feet haphazard shod with dirt and mud
their need to be out in both sun and rain
all backs bent nearly double with the strain
those angry blows that fall with heavy thud
wild rush to get all in before the flood
all work is urgent on this tropic plain
there's all of history to set the proper tone
the nodding plants all tell such lovely lies
and all these stories must be overcome
each malefactor must repent alone
and bellow truth to the uncaring skies
think of the sorrow that goes into the rum