Poem by Nityananda Khanal

Lost Legacy of Farming Life

All terrains from extensive plains,
to the valleys, hills and mountains
cleared bushes and carved terraces
diked plots to win nature’s graces
turned all wastes into bountiful manure
reaped harvest then, nurturing the future

Pens and barns, full of goats, buffaloes, cattle
perennial chores of livelihood battle
tending livestock with love & care
adoring feeding stalls to grazing pasture
as if a genuine steward of natural treasure
in lieu of pails of milk for family to savor
and supplement labor with draft power
reaped harvest then, nurturing the future

Selling produce, goats, cattle and buffalos
a desire to observe festivals with new clothes
enduring heat, cold, storm and rain
grateful for enough to eat, feed and entertain
respecting heritage of colorful culture
reaped harvest then, nurturing the future

A rustic homestead with a house and barns
dwelling joint family of three generations
from grandparents to grand children
sharing woes & with love & affection
together with kin, cohorts and neighbor
reaped harvest then, nurturing the future

The tale is not just a poetic fiction
but is the gist of nostalgic recollection
and a reflection of childhood of my own
witnessing ancestral diligence and devotion
may it give us wisdom and inspiration
perpetually for future generations

Nityananda was born and raised in a farm family in a rural mountainous village of Lumbini zone in Nepal. A quest of higher education brought him to
Canada. After getting a Doctor of Philosophy degree in plant science from University of Saskatchewan in Canada, he has been working as a research scientist
in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. He is a life member of the Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas, where he currently chairs the Resource and Capacity Building Committee.

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