Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SMALL HELP, by VERNA TOMLINSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SMALL HELP, by                    
First Line: I knew you wouldn't mind if I sat upon the fence and watched you dig
Last Line: And saw you grin.
Subject(s): Cleanliness


I knew you wouldn't mind if I sat upon the fence and watched you dig.
You didn't mind.
And when you clipped the hedge
I followed.
You explained about the shears
And answered all the many questions I could think of,
Mopping your brow with patience and a sigh when it was done.
Then I trailed you with a rake into the yard
And on the heap of leaves hopped up and down before you burnt them.
In the garden while you weeded, bending over,
I hunted bugs and brought the ones with pretty wings to show you.
Later when the tools were put away behind the door
Of the shed, remember
How I balanced the small hoe
Upon my hand
And had you look before it dropped?
Then as you dipped your face into some clear, cold water
And the towel was smudged with my wet hands,
Mother said, "Where have you been?"
"Helping daddy with the work," I said,
And saw you grin.





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