I crushed the farmers in a mortar, and took their grain away particle by particle.

This couplet paints a stark picture of hardship faced by farmers. It speaks of them being 'crushed in a mortar,' a powerful image suggesting immense pressure, exploitation, or suffering. The line 'I have taken their grain, grain by grain' emphasizes a thorough and relentless taking, leaving nothing behind. It's a poignant reflection on how farmers, despite their hard work, can be systematically deprived of their produce and their livelihood, bit by bit, until they are left with nothing. It highlights the vulnerability and exploitation often experienced by those who feed us.