Notes About The Poem

An Old Shovel

In the old dark coal mine, brought cold feeling.
It was underground and very dangerous and hard work.
Wearing dark clothes, leather boots, and canvas hat
With a leather brim with metal lamp brackets to hang off a light.  

My owner would carry me on his shoulder
When he walked into the tunnels of the mine.

He would hold me firmly with both hands.
Forcing hard with his body, would push my blade into the hard ground,
Rocked my handle back and forth to loosen the ground to get to the coal.

He came out dust covered black with me on his shoulder
All wore out needing to be sharpen for the next day. 

I pondered about winter; it would come, and snow would fall.
He'd get me out of the shed, cold chill I would be to the touch,
And shovel the soft fallen snow of the sidewalk.

Years have passed and also my owner. 
Now I hang of the wall with my blade painted.
His daughter in tribute, painted a winter scene.
An endless breadth curtain of a blue sky
As it closes the sun's view going down.
Patches of snow on the ground and bare limbs on the trees
My owner walks down a path with his dog.
As he had walked that path so many times.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Ray Choudhury Avatar
August 21, 2023 at 5:22 AM
Such a beautiful story about an old shovel, Dear Eve! Love the idea of a painting on the blade - it looks fabulous! The picture of the owner walking down the path brings back memories of my Dad. To my fave, Eve. Love ~ Mala
May Avatar
August 18, 2023 at 12:45 AM
Painted scenes on the shovel in tribute to hard work, Very nicely penned Eve
George Avatar
August 17, 2023 at 5:48 AM
Lovely personification. A spade in a mine fated to do hark work through out life and stay in darkness without the bliss of sunlight ! All the best dear Eve.
Vaso Avatar
August 16, 2023 at 11:19 PM
Eve this is such a well written poem, how you developed the story from start to end, I loved it! I had to come and say so!
Buhagiar Avatar
August 16, 2023 at 10:27 AM
Loved the way this poem progressed. The ending is excellent. A tribute to an old shovel.
One Avatar
August 16, 2023 at 8:04 AM
This is excellent personification and you've really created a deep picture here.. Its sentimental also, his owner got old and cold not use him anymore and his daughter painted a tribute.. lovely
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