The tractor coughed diesel,
choking on enlistment.
Pappaw watched,
relieved he won, without the fight.
I dug potatoes.
Hated gnats, the stooping,
dirt worked into my soul.
“We can’t eat what you don’t find.”
I carry his voice,
like gravel.
When I’ve had enough of soft things,
I take it out,
to hold my ground.
Jul 23, 2025
Jul 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM UTC
The tractor coughed diesel,
choking on enlistment.
Pappaw watched,
relieved he won, without the fight.
I dug potatoes.
Hated gnats, the stooping,
dirt worked into my soul.
“We can’t eat what you don’t find.”
I carry his voice,
like gravel.
When I’ve had enough of soft things,
I take it out,
to hold my ground.
This is a 'flash 55', -a poem in exactly 55 words. It was inspired by https://hellopoetry.com/poem/5119935/while-pouring-coffee/ a brilliant poem by Shay Caroline Simmons.
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