Allotment

Sedge grass, unwanted there, 


it terrorized my uncle's garden, 


blemishing the neatly ordered rows 


of cauliflower and cabbage, 


tomatoes, beans and beets. 





He would till from dawn to dusk, 


his angled back at odds with the 


concision of his spade; 


his way of giving thanks, 


the Yorkshire Dales his place of worship. 





The ordinariness of standing water 


puddled, reflecting sweat and struggle. 


Freshly turned, the earth displayed 


a texture like the furrows in his face. 





A summer gone, and gone were lust, 


impatience from a young boy's mind. 


I brought him food and water, 


and urged him to seek shelter and relief 


as I acknowledged his composure, 


his steadfastness, his strength.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Be the first to comment on this poem. Encourage this poet.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace