Answer:
Hard work.
Explanation:
The poem "Digging" by Seamus Heaney is part of the collection of works by the author in his "Death of a Naturalist". It is a no- nonsense poem but refers a great deal of affection and importance to the land.
Ireland in those times was dependent on the land for their livelihood. Fields and farms constitute a major part of their economy. This particular poem "Digging" is also replete with themes of work, ritual and the need to be rooted to one's beginnings. The poet as a young man, through this poem, shows that he is deeply close to his roots, working hard but still his home is never far from his thoughts. The description of the digging shows the hard work of the father, and also the hard work that it involves. The "spade" is typically associated with the image of hard work.
