A red trowel on
brown grass, left by my son when
cleaning my gutters,
discarded carelessly, so I return it to its
empty place.
Far be it from me to not be
grateful for all my sons do, keeping my
home in order and
in good repair, but they are
just not my husband, who
kept everything ‘just so’ with
love and care and pride in his
many skills; he
never complained about the
overwhelming amount of work required to
preserve our old home and was
quick to repair what needed
repairing or fixing or building. My
sons have their own homes,
their own families, and
until I die, they will do their
very best to balance the demands of their lives and maintenance on my
weathered old house – hammering boards like playing a
xylophone, singing while they burn branches in my
yard, remembering their dad as they
zip around on his green lawn tractor, trailing love and honor for him as they go.

Copyright ©2026 Lisa Paul. All rights reserved.
Written in response to Meeting the Bar; First to Last Letters challenge provided by Laura Bloomsbury.
Poetry Rules:
the letters are sequential
26 lines
each line begins with a letter of the alphabet
This tugs at the heartstrings, Lisa, with a beautiful tune of love through the generations.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much, Lynn š
LikeLiked by 2 people
There is no way one could read your A – Z poem without crying .. at the very least, a lump in one’s throat. I label it “Perfection” ~~~
LikeLiked by 2 people
oh, Helen, thank you. ā¤ļø
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lisa you wrote that so smoothly. What an adorable pic of your husband and I’m guessing son. I am happy that your sons are there for you, and I’m sure your husband is there as well, smiling ā¤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I agree, he is watching over us all. And I am so blessed to have such wonderful sons. That pic is Billy with our 2nd grandson. Thank you for your lovely comment.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are very welcome.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely poem Lisa
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Sadje ā¤ļø
LikeLiked by 2 people
Youāre welcome
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lisa- this is so moving- literally too, the way the poem slips from line to line in a great read
”Ā hammering boards like playing axylophone, singing while they burn branches in myyard,Ā ”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Laura š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a heartfelt window into your world. Thank you for letting me enter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Violet, for your kind words ā¤ļø
LikeLiked by 2 people
Human, down to earth, and oh so touching, Lisa. I love how you began with the red trowel – and its significance ā and ended with the green lawn tractor. Iām smiling through tears.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Kim, so much for your lovely comment and for being here ā¤ļø
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lisa, this is beautifully penned. It captures such poignant emotion and imagery, wrapped in a truly bittersweet reflection.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your kind words.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very well done Lisa, a great poem and story well told š
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful, and straight from the heart. I love that you included the photo.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your lovely words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So beautiful, Lisa! Thanks for sharing this heartfelt word picture with us. ā¤ļø
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome.
LikeLike
So beautifully written, Lisa, I hardly noticed the abcedarian form for the sentiments that naturally flow, line by line, so touchingly. A joy to read. ā¤ļø
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! š
LikeLiked by 1 person