Fence Building

Physical work!

Fence Building

The damp smell of clay earth

still clings to my finger nails

from the spoil scooped out

and lifted with my bare hands

from so many post holes sunk

by a trenching spade.

There is a sense of satisfaction

even with October rain sluicing upon

my head and running in rivulets

down my chilled cheeks,

For this is man’s work;

brutal, physical and honest.

Work which tests the spirit

and the body, calling my muscles

to action with each blow

that cuts into roots and rocks

and penetrates the soil

until I can stand back

knowing I have dug deep

enough.

 

26/10/14

Author's Note

Reviews

[Ruth]

Feels good to get digging and create in some form, grounding with earth...hard work gives calm xo

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed it does and this was a big project, now on hold till springtime. Thank you Poppy!

[Leslie Philibert]

A fine poem that evokes images of earth, sweat, movement....and creation.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you for such a lovely review Leslie.

[The Black Warrior]

I like this a lot, this is really good. This kind of reminds me of my mom! LOL she is a hard working woman... she inspires me!

Thank you for sharing!

~Suk

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Your mother sounds like a good person and it is wonderful she inspires you. Thank you Suk.

[The Black Warrior]

You are very welcome and thank you for sharing!

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

I can't put my finger on it or it could be my horrid little mind but I found this quite homoerotic

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I found it hard work but everyone reads what they will into a poem. Thank you Thomas.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

allegorically, we built fences to protect our emotions, then we tear them down, and rebuild...but also of literal work...i used to dig ditches in a refinery...and there was much satisfaction to be had with that pick and shovel...

nicely done.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I have been a white collar worker all my life but I have therefore always loved just using my hands and relying on my physical and mental strength. Many thanks Jacob.

[Lyn Anderson]

I like this. It calls to mind the rewards of real physical work when your mind is in the dumps.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes and that is exactly it. My neighbour and I renewed a short run of my fence between our gardens and now I am helping him renew a whole lot of fence all around his property. It is hard work as he has an overgrown garden with trees and shrubs that make it an arduous task!