The Smell of Hard Work, by Ed Kline

The Smell of Hard Work,

April 8, 2020

Sawdust tickles your nostrils,

the smell of cedar chips and pine,

which reminds you

of hiking the gorge,

sweating in summer heat,

huffing and puffing uphill,

cursing the switchbacks,

even though they bring you

to the sun dazzling on the river

and then back into the shady

incense of duff on damp trail,

which reminds you

of dirt clods breaking between

your fingers as you root out weeds,

the smell of soil rich with future food:

sweet peas and bitter greens and

tomatoes warm with the smell of

the setting sun. You lean back,

rest on your heels, wipe your face,

smearing the scent of sweat and

twilight across your cheeks,

which reminds you

it’s time to put down the pen;

you’ve written hard enough

for today.