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An Old Shovel

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August.19.2023
An Old Shovel Poetry Contest
Sponsor- John Lawless
Placed sixth

 

Memories go back to my vanished youth, And I reminisce clearly my master’s beautiful farmhouse. With its granaries full of corn and wheat. He was once a zealous farmer working day and night, With me- as his inseparable companion. We worked together in the corn fields till the fall of dusk. With cock crow, my master would wake up, Do his morning ablutions, get ready and proceed To his field in springing steps, With me clinging heavily onto his shoulders. The land was ploughed, the seeds were sown. My sharp blade made furrows in the soil. Though my master’s hands with toil were torn And my blade got blunt many a time, Never were we inclined to take rest, But kept working on end till the harvest was done. Even when the summer sun was blazing above us, With the air pulsing with waves of heat, We worked hard, both of us finding joy in relentless toil. Those were days of sweet contentment. It was long ago, those days have quickly gone. Now I have grown old and with me my master too. Rusted and abandoned, I am tucked away, In the old farmhouse, the sad reminder of a glorious past. There, on a cracked wall, I am hung limp in dreamless sleep! Now the old farm door on its rusted hinges creaks The wicker gate around the farm is falling to decay. The gravel path, with brambles and weeds overgrown. Rodents and snakes roam freely among the thickets. My master is now like his abandoned farmhouse. A rotting engine not overhauled and can’t be put to use. He has withdrawn to a life of lethargy, With trains of memories haunting his days!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023




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Date: 8/27/2023 1:52:00 AM
I can feel the pain of the farmer through the use of the shovel metaphor. Age takes its toll on everyone. Some are able to hide it for a while, but eventually all evidence of the aging process catches up with them unless they die before it happens. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for dropping by my page. Sara
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Date: 8/20/2023 6:23:00 PM
Take the 's' off of 'shovel,' and you get 'hovel.' That's where I reside --- in an old hovel. lol. Seriously, great contest entry, Valsa! ~ Gershon
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Date: 8/19/2023 5:18:00 PM
Just beautiful Valsa. The wonderful story enhanced by the personification of the shovel make it such a heart warming display of emotion. Well done my friend. BOL in the contest.
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Date: 8/19/2023 2:06:00 PM
The eloquence and rhythm displayed in your choice of words and the overall composition of this poem are truly captivating, Valsa. Your talent for crafting such beautiful words is just inspiring. Good luck with the contest
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Date: 8/19/2023 9:55:00 AM
Its fun to grow corn and other vegetables. Its hard work with sweet returns. Retirement has mixed blessings. You remember old sweet days and struggle with the present in a leisurely manner. Nice poem.
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Book: Shattered Sighs