The Handyman

• Artist: little Water-sprite
• Description: I wrote this poem in my Writers Craft course, and it's one of my favourites. This poem was also inspired by the song 'All Souls Night' by Loreena McKinnett. Enjoy!
• Date: 07/22/2009
• Tags: handyman death earth

Every day for as long as people remembered,
all the townsfolk saw
was a man working by candlelight.

His name was Charlie.
And from what people knew
he lived next to an old barn,
filled with hay and barley.

Every day Charlie would work on the barn,
though he owned no animals;
Charlie was always busy working with his hands.

As the years went by,
Charlie got older like every person on this Earth.
Though he was always smiling and laughing,
like he had no idea that he was getting old.

His attitude told everyone
that no matter how old you get,
you must always be positive.

Continuing to work with his hands,
Charlie helped fix houses and fences,
until there was nothing left to fix.
Charlie still found work to do in other towns.

A soft and cool drizzle was falling one early June morning,
when a neighbour found Charlie resting
in his bed with the Sunday paper
still in his hand.

The doctor said that Charlie passed peacefully in his sleep.
I know that Charlie is pleasing even Death
with what his hands can make.

Comments

[Flaming Tsunami]

First off, I enjoyed it. I always love a good poem with a lesson, and not just one that goes on about pain with no end. I would have liked a little more detail on what he made and how it helped others; it would have helped to intensify the last line. The barn was a bit confusing to me. Was it his barn, or did he just live next to it? I give you a 4.7 out of five, great job.