A Navvy’s Legacy
In driving winds, thunderous clouds and sleet
The navvy toiled, his pick cleaved at the land
And as wet rot attacked the poor man’s feet
And blisters soiled, a hook replaced his hand.
He carved for years through meadows, hills and vales
His ditches were filled and gave life to men
But sadly spewing steam and engine’s rails
Killed the life and ditches…dry again.
Time spent denying – desolate – forlorn
Uncared for, forgotten, time has moved on
Once more flows the life blood a dream reborn
But their way of life is lost, it has gone.
Ditches now filled with water, wood and brick
Remember the navvy. Mud, sweat and pick.
© 2024 Lillian Bradbury.
“A Navvy’s Legacy” is a poignant sonnet that pays tribute to the hardworking navvies who shaped the landscape of Britain. The poem vividly describes the grueling labor of these workers, who toiled through harsh weather conditions to carve ditches and lay the foundations for railways. It paints a picture of their struggle against the elements, with “driving winds, thunderous clouds and sleet” as they worked tirelessly with their picks and shovels.
The sonnet reflects on how the navvies’ work, once vital for transportation and progress, has been largely forgotten as technology advanced. Yet, it reminds us that their legacy lives on in the very land they shaped, urging us to remember “the navvy. Mud, sweat and pick”.
About the Book and Author
This moving poem is part of Lillian Bradbury’s collection “Welcome to my World”. Bradbury, a member of the ‘Wordbotherers’ writing group in Pickering, North Yorkshire, brings a wealth of life experience to her writing. Her work often touches on themes of history, nature, and the human experience, as evidenced by “A Navvy’s Legacy”.
If you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into Bradbury’s evocative poetry, why not explore more of her work? “Welcome to my World” offers a rich tapestry of verses that are sure to resonate with anyone who appreciates thoughtful, heartfelt writing.
