Wisconsin Mud
Autumn task
Baskets of weeds
Seeds fall to soil
Toil with the tiller
Clay ground first
Curse of my garden
Hardens like rock
Mocks my feeble shovel
Red, this level
Beveled by tilling machine
Green detritus mixes
Fixes a greyer hue
Potting soil on top
Prop myself with a rake
Stakes then reposted
Toasted from our labors
Add soil meant for pot
Plot now proper brown
Garden set for sleep
Steep some tea and rest
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Sunday Scribblings, the prompt was simply “mud.” I’m also putting this on a shelf in the Poetry Pantry at Poets United and spilling on the bar at dverse Open Mic Night!
Of course, the damnable ironweed of earlier in the season (CLICK HERE) refused to disclose the center of its evil web of roots, and the pye wede followed suit. Monica planted some spring bulbs in front; a failed daisy plant finally sprang into life in late autumn, surprise! More daisies will be planted, as well as tiger lilies, the bulbs go in now. Next spring, we hope to have a plethora of pots: Herbs, petunias, Sweet William, lobelia, and Johnny Jump-ups (my favorite).
Sharp Little Pencil 
Debbie
Loved the poem, the short lines, the hard work. 🙂 Praying it all pays off next spring and summer! Thanks, Amy!
Jack
I thoroughly enjoyed the scheme here. The beginning of each line really snapped as part of a rhyme, well done. The ending was a real ending, how awesome.
Jae Rose
The universal toil and labour..I do love how the garden comes to rest..ready for tea and a nap too..(also love the sound of JohnnyJump-ups)…Jae
Misky
Amy, I love this rushed and tumbling list of words. A cup of tea at the end of it is indeed a good idea. 🙂
brian miller
smiles…gardening is no easy task, that is for sure…hard work and takes a lot of dilligence as well, so i hope you enjoyed that tea…
brian miller
why thank you ma’am…swung by again just to smile…
Mary
This made me smile, Amy. I am so very familiar with the Wisconsin mud. Clay definitely is the bane of our existance. New soil to be added most every year to get things to grow. Thanks for sharing with PU.
Kerry O'Connor
I love your rhymes as they loop down each line. This is a very pretty poem.
Lance
I love the short lines and tight flow to each one. I read more than gardening here, but that’s just me.
Roger Green
I read the poem right after raking; think I have a greater appreciation
Berowne
“I take my shots
straight out of the jug.
I like to do a dance
on that ol’ Wisconsin mud.”
(To the tune of “Mississippi Mud.”)
thecheesewolf
a beautiful, poem. So elegant and evocative. Hugely enjoyed it.
oldegg
What great rhythm there is here with the linking rhyming words (although you fooled me with ‘brown – garden’).
Sherry Blue Sky
Lovely. I could feel all of the effort, and the comfort of that hot tea!
Daydreamertoo
Gardening is hard work but there is something in it that is deeply satisfying within. That feeling of being connected to the earth through earth.
Loved the image of putting the garden to rest and then having tea… lovely 🙂
RYN: Thank you. I agree.
Laurie Kolp
Can you come over some time and help me with mine?
henryclemmons
The the short lines and the water fall effect as your words cascade down the page. Gradens speak many things, and I think we each can take a trip down these falls and experience something different. You are a sharp lil pencil. And luv the Wisconsin scent. Knew a special moment there once. Excellente.
markwindham
I keep telling my wife that it would be cool if she would take up gardening. 🙂 I just do not have the patience
Ayala
Short and perfect lines, lovely !
Beth Winter
no matter what you try to grow, it takes effort. This poem is wonderful as a gardening poem or metaphorically as a way to cultivate life. Wonderful.
claudia
smiles…is there something better than a good cup of tea after doing the garden work…made me smile…
Cressida de Nova
A cup of tea cures all. Johnny jump ups? great name. I think we call them pansies.
ninotaziz
I was weeding today. And a cup of tea with cloves soothed my tiredness.
And your poem uplifted me.
PJF Sayers
Amelita, now I know why my husband does the gardening. I like how you end with a cup of tea, even though I am a coffee drinker. Nice poem.
Saludos,
Pamelita
Steve King
NIce, Amy. Every planting season here in Albany NY is a struggle to the death with heavy clay. Years of toiling with compost makes it better, but not great. Turning it red to brown with your hard work–a nice transition. And I approve of any libation at end of day. Fine job here.
hedgewitch
So, if you’re through at your place…I still have one small bed to do over and some tulips to plant. I like your telegraphic style here and the literally down to earth language–certainly that’s all I have energy for when involved in this stuff any more–I used to sing, now I mumble. ;_)
Belva@MainelyMugUps
I didn’t do a thing, but after reading this I need a cup of tea! Gardening is hard work and your poem captures it well!!
purplepeninportland
Love the way this was written.
Polly Robinson
We have yet to put our garden to bed for the winter … time’s getting on. Well done for dealing with yours 🙂