Poem: Digging Ditches

Hoping for a small success and, if you're a poet, that's about all to hope for.

Digging Ditches Success, like love, is always hanging close Can’t be thrown and tied before the bell Not a rodeo event at all, you know, it slips up behind you, whistling, taps you when your feet are wet and all that’s on your mind is proper boots Should it come along, I hope it’s small, undemanding and just a living in it You’ll laugh and say the hope’s well founded Words on paper don’t make writing, but men’s legs aren’t made like horse’s Too heavy a load and they begin to shake But hell, a man’s a fool not to wish for evidence he’s got a word to say that now and then someone finds worthwhile There’s ego and sweat in digging ditches too Everyone digs in something, looking up to see how near it is to quitting time

This poem is included in Jim Freeman's poetry collection THE SMELL OF TWEED AND TOBACCO available here in print or as an e-Book in your favorite formats.