Interesting.....

Oh no, I have just noticed this one. I see now that you were indeed telling a story and using the seasons to show the time through out the year and the changes taking place.

The summer stretched on
long and hot
and Kuebiko's face became
brown and wizened as
a walnut

- this opening is the same as before, in the way it hints at being neglected and uncared for. I think the metaphor of the walnut goes to show how long the summer has been, and how long he has been left there alone.

his hat lay somewhere
in the cornfield
forgotten, just like him
and...he was lonely,
yearning for Sally.

- Oh no, a scarecrow without his hat is just not right. The mention of Sally is perhaps the farmer's wife? Or perhaps the farmer's daughter? Someone who looked after him, cared for him, and perhaps showed him love. The pain he is feeling inside is very clear that he just wants to belong to someone again.

Somedays he would practice
making stern faces
saving his best one
for the pesky crows

- I think this represents how bored he was, and how he tried to do anything to pass the time but it must have been so lonely and dragged by so slow. The only company you mention is the crows, which in itself is harsh because his job is to keep them away! So still he has no company. I think this is sad also because it shows his loyalty still remains to the family.

but soon...

even they stopped visiting
his field

- oh, I didn't see this coming. This makes me think that there was nothing in the field for them to come to. But what a poor feeling for the scarecrow, it is like a man being out of work when he has been so long used to providing for his family. Now his only sense of company has gone too. He is left with nothing.

and...

as autumn came and went
Kuebiko noticed that
the corn had not been harvested
nor the hay baled
and, his head drooped slightly
as he stood in his field
wondering why...

- again sad ending because he never understands why, it is like he hopes inside for there to be an answer other than the truth. The field is being neglected too which would indicate at the farmer moving on or being on holiday or something. But that image of him all alone in this abandoned field is heart breaking! Maybe it is because I have my scarecrow teddy who is so special and precious to me, I imagine him being this character.

I am annoyed at myself that I missed this, but still enjoyed it the same. I love the idea of the story and it is one that I do not want to end because I don't think the ending will be happy!

Enjoyed again, thanks.

I love coming back and reading about Kuebiko <3