Shoveling Dirt

I watched the farmer do daily chores, year after year. On hot days, those of snow, each morning he was here before lavender light of dawn, he checked on his crops tended to all the animals and fed the pigs their slops Farmer Ben didn't talk a lot about what needed repairs I'm just an old shovel, but I heard his humble prayers We're old friends, so I sensed his worry and frustration each time he clutched my handle, I felt Ben's desperation There were times when only digging relieved his stress and I helped him work off the concern he couldn't repress We shoveled snow and broke up clods of the Earth's crust Always taking care to clean me so I wouldn't start to rust I'm gettin' kinda old. Been here thirty years, maybe more Since Ben bought the farm, and me at the hardware store I feel honored to hang on the highest hook on the wall but didn't ever mind he used me to clean dung from a stall Sometimes a gentle hand holds me in a garden of flowers His missus keeps me busy in Spring, planting for hours If a rock bed I hit while she went about with our spading, she'd clear them with her hands, and the roots pervading Don't know how much longer I'll be in working condition but I'm not ready to be retired or put out of commission When Ben needs me, from the wall he'll take me down I'll always be ready and willing to help him break ground