Email this article Untitled "Shall I Compare Thee to a Backfill Pile?" April 27, 2000 by Elizabeth J. Himelfarb A computer key, A hair elastic-- I've tried to be Enthusiastic. A light bulb shard, A rusty nail, A business card, A dried out snail: I dig and sift and measure, I hunt and poke and peck-- Bring on the buried treasure Before I wring my neck. I'll pack it in, I'll quit forever. This has been A lost endeavor. But first I'll take one final dig And then my trowel will rest And I will find some other gig That inspires a trifle more zest. In goes the spade And then I will stop. As the sun starts to fade I see something pop. A sparkle, a glimmer, A glitter, a shine, A spangle, a shimmer-- It is mine, yes, all mine! Could it be the golden calf? A coin from places Greek? The Holy Grail, or at least half Of Agamemnon's cheek? I brush away the dirt and dust And what do you think I find? A bottle top that's peppered with rust-- The gods are so unkind! My backyard digging stint is dead-- I wish I had never begun. When Mom sees her azalea bed I'll be grounded 'til I have a son. Tomorrow I'll be a fireman, A bandit, or a scout. There are easier ways to work on a tan-- Archaeology is out. Back to Poetry © 2000 by the Archaeological Institute of America www.archaeology.org/online/features/poetry/himelfarb.html Share this page:   Share Stay up-to-date on news and new features on our website. Click here to sign up. Buy current & back issues: See what's available!

Exclusive Features Taft Blackhorse & John Stein, Uncanny Archaeology, The Newark Earthworks Latest News Daily archaeological headlines Interactive Digs Zominthos, Crete; El Carrizal, Mexico; Sagalassos, Turkey On Site Voyage to Crete, Picturing the Holy Land Reviews "Becoming Human," "Discovering Ardi," "Magic in Ancient Egypt" Interviews Richard Leakey, Edward Bleiberg, Andrew Edwards

Privacy Policy - Contact Us - Advertise © 2009 Archaeological Institute of America
Website by Castle Builder Design Hosting donated by Hurricane Electric