A letter writer ponders the use of a scythe, instead of a lawnmower, on tall grassArticle contentWhat to write about. I’m stuck. I could write about lawns, and how mundane it is. But would people read about lawn cutting.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentWho would be interested in grass?Article contentArticle contentGrass is okay. I’m a big fan of grass. It’s nice to put a blanket down on a warm day in summer and just lay out and rest and let the sun beat down on you. (Use sunscreen though.)Article contentBut it’s the cutting of it.Article contentThe constant cutting of it; every week, for the summer, that’s tiresome. How many times would that be? Twenty to 30 times, I guess it’s not too bad if you have a small lawn, but what if you have a large one with hills to climb, and your lawn mower is old, like mine is, and I’ve been steadily getting older as well.Article contentArticle contentMy lawn mower could be a metaphor for my body and the knocks and bangs it’s taken in the course of it’s function. A little rusty, wheels are a little crooked, doesn’t move as fast as it used to and in definite need of refurbishing.Article contentBut the lawn, it’s not a straightforward lawn, there are various corners to get around, trees are in the way, a fence, a shed, rocks.Article contentThat mower has to be pulled back and forth. It’s a workout. And I wonder what would be the outcome if I just stopped mowing the lawn? Just let the grass grow? And then perhaps start using a scythe every couple of months.Article contentWhen was the last time anyone has seen someone use a scythe?Article contentI used to see them frequently when I was a child. The tall grass near our home would be cut by a local farmer for his animals.Article contentThe use of scythes could see a revival. Let your lawn go. Use a scythe. Readily available at your local hardware store.Article contentJust to be serious for one moment; as the writing of this has taken me in that direction, but lawn mowing in Canada creates 80,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.Article contentArticle contentWould we ready for this de-evolution from mowers to scythes? This would require a change in thinking; though I don’t think it’s a law to have your lawn mowed, though it might fall into the category of unsightly properties.Article contentIt would demand an aesthetic change, seeing beauty in grass that grows tall and in seeing the wind blow it back and forth.Article contentYou can hear the sound of the tall grass moving in the wind if you listen closely enough. A whispering sound that talks to us like in a Terrence Malick movie.Article contentPerhaps a movement could be started and we’d cheer on the need for scythes over mowers. Shirts could be made with decals of scythes. These shirts would be green symbolizing the grass they are to cut. There’d by scythe tattoos. Everyone would see that scythes are the way to go. There’d be no feuding over this, no bickering, online or otherwise. Just a general agreement that envelopes everyone at the same time. The world will come together for the first time in its history. And all because of scythes and one man’s laziness to say no to mowing.Article contentBill Fiander,Article contentSydneyArticle content
LETTER: I dream of scythes and tall grass
