Wheelbarrow
I’m old, I’m rusty,
Most of my arse has fallen out
But my frame is solid
I have been a faithful servant
Hard working
Never have I let my owners down
Even now a barrow of bits and pieces
I’m still functional
Albeit a bit scrappy looking.
I once worked on the new town square
Carried concrete one day
Bricks another
Never missed a beat
It’s a sight now thanks to me.
My handles may have been replaced
A more chic soft feel
For my present owners
Soft teachers hands.
My days are in retirement now
I am stored away from the wind and rain
I still function, though limited
I can do the job as well as any younger barrow
Even when the bum is out of my seat.
Written for: http://dversepoets.com/2014/08/05/poetics-telling-a-story-why-not-go-a-bit-fairy-tale-or-fantasy/
Morpethroad 
it is good to still feel useful…
even when you arse is rusting out…ha.
funny, we needed a wheelbarrow at the school today
and no one had one…that is kinda sad to me…
Mine is available arse in or out.
Interesting choice, Michael! I like the way you went with the take. Sometimes my own feelings and those of a wheelbarrow are not that different.
I read your comment several times Gabriella and laughed as I imagined you and your connection to the wheelbarrow. Hopefully your wheelbarrow is in better condition to mine.
I love the voice & character of the wheelbarrow ~ I had to smile at the ending line ~
Thank you Grace glad to give you a smile.
Nicely done–giving personality to the wheelbarrow just seems so right! Well-written as usual.
Thanks Jeff, I appreciate that encouraging comment.
Thankfully one doesn’t use a wheelbarrow or that often, or I would be saying go out and buy a new one! Lovely personality he has though. Similar to his owner 😉
My wheelbarrow and I have things in common Jenny. But it’s my secret.
a good poem, but very close to home, I guess we all start to sag sooner or later…
Yes Bill, sad reality for us young men getting on in life.
We all get a bit rusty and used with hard work. The wheelbarrow should be proud of all his contributions. Which he sounds like he is. As he said, his framework is still sturdy.
That’s right Jackie, frame good, bits not so. Thanks for the good comment.
very cool to let the old wheelbarrow share its thoughts and life a bit with us…the things it accomplished and about its new owner…ha…and love that it still works
It works a treat Claudia as long as I whisper lovingly to it before we commence a job. Thanks so much for reading and your comment.
As long as you are not murmuring those sweet nothings in public , I suppose it’s OK,otherwise the men in white coats might turn up at school!
Ha it’s a risk I run. Thanks for the comment. Have a good day.
Love the voice of the wheelbarrow, and for the old teacher renewing him…
Thanks Bjorn, the old teacher indeed good sir. Hope your day is going well.
Lovely metaphor, great choice and a bit funny! Liked the photos too … nice to see how the butt out problem was solved.
Thanks Georgia where there’s a will there’s a barra with a bum.
ROFL … definately!
a life well lived and still useful in old age….love the satisfaction in wheelbarrow’s voice…
Thanks Sumana, it does have character despite its obvious flaws.
It is good that, though aging and a bit decrepit, the wheelbarrow is still appreciated and even a bit revered!
Yes Mary, there are not many wheelbarrows like mine, you could never buy one like that.
I like how you gave the story a human feel.
Thanks RoSy, it has a personality all of its own.
aww i feel bad for the poor bum-less wheel barrow now!!
Thanks Arushi, my bum-less barrow is doing ok, out of the weather and loved.
M glad to hear that!!
I agree with Rosy making the wheel barrow share his thoughts was creative.
Thank you Kim, appreciate your kind comment.
These days of course you can get heavy duty plastic wheelbarrows. Which is all well and good until you chuck a pile of tiles into it while standing on the roof…oops!
You see I don’t have that issue Lyn, if I was to smash the bum of my barra I could shout it a new one.
It may have been through lots of hard work before but being still functional it can be depended upon certainly. Wonderful write Michael!
Hank