Digging Man and the Natural World Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line)

Quote #4

Nicking and slicing neatly, heaving sods
Over his shoulder, going down and down
For the good turf. (22-24)

It's almost like the grandfather is digging himself deeper and deeper into the earth – getting close to the heart of it.

Quote #5

The cold smell of potato mould, the squelch and slap
of soggy peat, (25-26)

Our speaker remembers the smells and sounds of nature very clearly and powerfully, which makes his love of it all the more understandable.