I Swing This Hammer

Blacksmith's ode to lost love.

I Swing This Hammer, By, Maximo A. Rivera

I swing this hammer up and down,

how hard the work, so sweet the sound

Myself alone, the coal, the heat,

my hammer makes my anvil sing.

I swing this hammer night and day.

My hands gone rough, my lungs gone grey.

I swing for you my lovely Sue,

I know you're cooking something new.

When this here hammer finds repose,

my heart, to you, so quickly goes.

Just 10 steps over, there you'll be.

A kiss you always have for me.

I tell you bout a hundred things,

of what I've done, of who I'll be.

Your kindness nods to comfort me.

Just you and me together.

A simple life, don't got too much.

A man and wife, a place, a home.

Don't want too much, just you to hold

and time to swing this hammer.

The other day you passed away;

this world, it pulled you under.

I stood there, watched you, held you close

till something stronger tugged ya.

Been days, been weeks, been time and pain;

been quiet since you've gone.

Been no one cooking, no one noddin,

no more kissing, no more songs.

I swing this hammer up and down.

How hard the work, so sad the sound.

Myself alone, the coal, the fire,

my anvil rings without desire.

I swing this hammer day and night.

My soul's gone dead, ain't got no sight.

I swung for you my lovely Sue

but now I swing for something new.

I'll swing this hammer long and hard.

I wont eat much, wont sleep, wont rest.

I'll work to pass my life right through

so I can one day swing for you...

Author's Note

Hope you enjoy

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

A nicely rhymed piece here. We see a hard working man who doesn't complain, has lived for his work and his wife. Now she is gone, and he continues to work, but the spirit has gone out of it. Now he swings the hammer just to mark time, waiting for the day he can join his lost beloved. Sad story, noble man.