After the Storm

I step outside after a stormy night and gaze upon A mess of leaves, sticks, and branches disgracing my lawn And the sight makes my back hurt before I even pick up the rake in an effort to consolidate the leaves and debris into piles While I wonder if brown leaves could possibly become a landscape trend if I only waited a while. After some time, I bag the leaves and bind the branches into bundles with twine. Then I move on to the bottom of the backyard pool which is full leaves and pine tree needles, as well And I recall how I once considered a backyard pool to be the apex of success and luxury in life, but now I find I’m second-guessing myself. The windows are open, their curtains rising lightly in the breeze, then lowering as the air’s breathing recedes And all I hear is the wind passing through a hole in the hollow rod of my net Its pitch rising and falling as I dip it into the depths and bring it back to the surface to empty it. The peace of it all puts me at ease, despite the work yet ahead of me My back still hurts as I look over all the cleanup to be done But I look up and see the clear blue sky through the leafless tree branches above Then feel my wet neck and back being dried by the clean, rain-washed air and sun And I can’t help but wish this beautiful day would last forever.