Fete de la Roulaison--Before the Grinding

Hudson Review, The, Winter 2003 by Bedell, Jack B

All morning cane trucks have driven into the mill bringing the last stalks for the grinding. The cutters

have burned the fields from outside in and wait at the edges, guns turned towards rabbits

for the stew. The children run behind the flames, ruddy as sky from playing too close to ground.

The women raise tables in the clearing, spread white cloths for the feast. Last year's dresses

hang on them, bland from the wash and begging for the breeze to stir someplace close enough

to remind them winter is coming and this year's cane will bring brand-new dresses and food from town.

JACK B. BEDELL* is Assistant Dean of Arts & Sciences at Southeastern

Indiana University.