Ode to the Wheelbarrow

Oh, wheelbarrow

You carry so much more than weight.

Within you are the hopes of tomorrow,

And abilities that put food on our plate.

Your sturdy chassis whisks dirt and rocks away,

But you clean up nice when it comes time for play.

Oh, wheelbarrow

What would we do without you?

Puncture proof tires and aluminum frame

Help me do the work I need to do.

My comfort comes from knowing you are there;

A gift a nice as the giver was fair.

You’ve survived the largest community garden in Brooklyn,

And a farmer’s son,

Held fast upon a move to the woods,

Spent too many days in the sun.

No matter, you’re right as rain,

Tightened your bolts, no load gives you strain.

It’s been 12 years and I’ve never changed your tire;

This alone is worth praise, and a bit of their desire.

I sleep tight knowing you guide our grounds,

Free to plan the next Plantbryrinth, making green our surrounds.

Oh, wheelbarrow

I’ve yet to find the task to make you shudder,

Not the boulders, not the oak log, or the iron gutters.

How many loads of compost have you trudged, how many bags of leaves,

How many sacks of pigeon poop from the pet store of Jerrys?

These numbers do not tally for you; these numbers make you numb.

The numbers you are looking for are the numbers made of fun.

How many dinners have you had a hand in?

How many lunches did you help make?

How many rides have you given,

How many naps did you help take?

Oh, wheelbarrow

Light as the moonbeams run,

Your barrow matches your marrow,

Bright as the noonday sun.

Fetching, carting, darting,

Hauling fallen trees,

TUFX wheelbarrows,

Fill a life with ease.