~
almost March and a
first real foray outside,
there are ironstone rocks
and gravel to shift, new
canes to buy and raised
beds to dig over,
his old spade leans there
like a spectator, it’s ancient,
unfit for use, I sometimes
talk to it, ask it questions
seek its approval, lean
on it for support when taking
a breather but when I curl
my soiled fingers around
the old ash handle, its
smooth patina feels like
his handshake and I’ll
hear him say ‘come on boy
we’re nearly done’.
*
© Graham R Sherwood 02/26
grahamrichardsherwood.co.uk 