I like Dirt

I like dirt.

When I was a little girl,

 I would wander in the dirt clods

as daddy worked in the tobacco field.

 

I would dig holes in the yard.

And gather worms to take fishin’.

I would play in the brown water of the creek

that ran alongside the house,

but more probably that was mud.

No kid ever left my house as clean as they came.

 

I know that dirt is important.

The smell and the feel of dirt in spring,

when the tractor is plowing the fields for planting,

sends my spirit into metaphorical

backflips and somersaults.

 

My soul loves the smell of spring dirt.

I like the smell of dirt in the fall, too.

Sweet and musty-- full of rotting leaves

helped on its way by rain water,

fall air lets us know summer is dying.

 

I have a grand appreciation for dirt.

I don’t have time to sweep

behind kids and dogs and husband.

Mostly--dirt doesn’t interfere

with the happiness of the children.

I like dirt.

Mammaw always said we have to eat

Half a pound of dirt before we die.

I figure dirt must be healthy.

It never hurt me.

 

Reviews

[h d e rushin]

there is that part in fingerpainting that you appreciate the duty more than the outcome. Where
you really dont care what the painting is about, just that it was done and the doing of it makes you
love out loud.

this poem is a fingerpainting of sorts. A slow paced urgent language like watching sweet potatoes
or carrots grow out from the earth. I know (and remember) this dirt of liveliness and imagination.
The dirt that exposes itself to fire/ the dirt of the speed of childhood. Just marvelous.

You remain one of the more important poets of this new century Ms. Burns. And we are
forever in your debt.....dana

[Emily B]

I had forgotten this little clod :) thank you for causing me to remember

[mattavelli]

This is great. :)
When I was three, my sisters and I dug a huge hole and pretended it was a boat. We played in it for years.
Have fun.

[J. Hampton]

There is something about it ...
Funny my Grandmother said the very same thing
" confirmation of wisdom"
Our fear of dirt....has lent itself to over-use of antibiotics ...
creating super viruses ....and weak immune systems ... thus the "probiotic" -craze
wich...in a nutshell is ( the natural bacteria in average...good ole'run-of-the-mill "DIRT"

True the smell and feel of it ...tell us plenty if we pay attention

Blessssssssssssss

[Melanie Jane Boicourt S..]

I like dirt too. I like the smell, the feel, the taste... Just kidding on the taste thing. Though I heard that some farmers taste their soil to see what fertilizers to use. Does that mean they taste it after they fertilize it too to make sure it's right? That would be like eating.....Well, you get the idea. I also heard of some pregnant women actually craving dirt. Talk about needing a baby shower. O.K. I'm done.
Nice write!
Love All, Mejasha

[J]

LOL!!!! ohmygoodness! i can't believe i found a kindred soul!! i ADORE dirt! me mum quit giving me spoons to take outside as i would eat by the spoonfull [til i got worms ;-( ] and what ELSE are mud pies for??

this is an adorable write, Em. happy happy! dirt is definitely good.

thanks for sharing this gem. ;-)