wheelbarrow waits
impatiently
it is parked
in the middle of the yard
the spade is at rest
and idly bides its time
they waited for me all day
yesterday
but I
was otherwise delayed
earning
not shoveling
sometimes that seems to be
the way
but now
I hear the compost call
the mulch has grown
in its demands
so
load and fill the barrow
shovel the muck from the trailer tray
mix mulch and horse-potatoes
in a mound
that’ll be tomorrow’s garden bed
and watch the hot steam rise
a smoke
wafting from the venting pipe
that’s good heat in there
so keep your hand away
~
the spade waits
patient again
it leans
against the garden shed wall
the barrow is asleep
nonchalant
could be its name
but they will be ready
when the call
to shape the garden earth
comes again
their way
~