The Shovel

There, in the old gray shed, I spotted it,
	beside the window, hanging on a nail.
With sadness, I remember it so well
	from that September day so long ago.

An old, small shovel used, then put away...
	one caked with salty tears, encrusted earth,
there left to hang in silent memory
	of its sad job from many years before.

Beside the old stone wall, neath planted grass,
	and buried there that dark and mournful day;
our twenty years of heartfelt, happy thoughts
	lay with him in his grave...and in our hearts.

Yes, there it is...our grave for Charlie cat.
	There, in the old gray shed, I spotted it...
the dirt still clinging there upon its blade.
	But now, the spring is here, perhaps its time.

A scraping of this crusted shovel, yes...
	perhaps it's time to scrub and make it clean;
grant its rejected purpose a new life.
	Dig in and plant new flowers 'round his grave.


March 11, 2019

~4th Place~
Premiere Contest: A Scraping of Shovels
Sponsor: John Lawless
Judged: 03/16/2019
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Leiser Avatar
March 16, 2019 at 12:22 PM
Such a wonderful nostalgic poem, Sandra. I can relate, as our sweet dog is buried in our backyard...Congrats on your win! :)
Haight Avatar
March 18, 2019 at 3:28 PM
Thank you so much, Laura, for your empathetic and uplifting comment and congrats. Yes, our pets are like family, for sure. Much appreciated. Hugs, Sandra
Allison Avatar
March 16, 2019 at 10:41 AM
aww so moving Sandra, many congrats on your win:-) hugs jan xx
Haight Avatar
March 18, 2019 at 3:27 PM
Thank you, Jan, for your empathetic comment. Hugs, Sandra
Canerdy Avatar
March 16, 2019 at 9:47 AM
CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved win, Sandra! SO BEAUTIFUL and touching. Janice
Haight Avatar
March 18, 2019 at 3:26 PM
Thank you very much, Janice, for your congrats and lovely comments. Much appreciated. Hugs, Sandra
Lawless Avatar
March 16, 2019 at 9:33 AM
Sandra, this one sorta just got to me. A beautiful remembrance of a pet and the paw prints they leave on our hearts.
Haight Avatar
March 16, 2019 at 10:55 PM
Thank you so much, John, for the inspiring contest, my nice placement, and your uplifting, empathetic comment! Sandra :)
Vangaveti Avatar
March 11, 2019 at 12:43 PM
Great contender for the contest. Loved it :)
Haight Avatar
March 18, 2019 at 3:26 PM
Thank you, Swetha, for your visit and uplifting comment! So nice of you! Sandra
Gorelick Avatar
March 11, 2019 at 11:38 AM
This is good and should do very well in the contest..Good luck. BG
Haight Avatar
March 18, 2019 at 3:25 PM
Thank you so much, Barbara for your positive and supportive comments. Much appreciated. Hugs, Sandra
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 11, 2019 at 9:48 AM
Wow. Wonderful heartfelt penning. A winner for me. My best to you in the contest Sandra, xomo!
Haight Avatar
March 18, 2019 at 3:24 PM
Thank you very much, Maureen, for your positive and uplifting feedback! Much appreciated! Hugs, Sandra
Scars Avatar
March 11, 2019 at 7:26 AM
amazing take on the contest theme sweet Sandra, good luck! :)-luloo
Haight Avatar
March 18, 2019 at 3:24 PM
Thank you so much, Lu Loo! I appreciate your visit and supportive comment. Hugs, Sandra
Krampe Avatar
March 11, 2019 at 7:01 AM
I love your take on the contest prompt, and the hopeful turn in the last stanza. Good luck in the contest.
Haight Avatar
March 18, 2019 at 3:23 PM
Thank you so much, Agnes. The theme was a difficult prompt, and I appreciate your positive feedback very much. Hugs, Sandra
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