Morning Musing

I remember that day a early spring day cold snow melted away and grass turning green long cold winter gone days of shivering cold dormant brown grass lay not beneath crystal blanket cold spring task was before needing to be done in cool early morn before warmth of the sun warm house cozy was wanting there only to stay not to venture into the new day and the task leave undone my tools lay at hand bright hard stainless steel soft fragile fingers to replace that the work might be done untie rope knotted tight loosening its length that the tarp I might free set it wrinkled to the side my tractor lie beneath painted red and black steel cracking vinyl seat steering wheel crooked still press down the brake hard release the handbrake shift into neutral and push it into the yard dry grasses lie in clumps through cold winter bitter cold softening the curves of hard steel still lying there beneath lying down upon the grass poking sharply into my flesh gazing into belts and gears finding pins to undo set them on the footboard so they will not be lost bright steel on worn footpad glittering in morning sun rising from the grass going into dark garage where the mower deck does lie under webs that spiders spun seeking grips that are safe not edges of sharp steel with straining muscles lift and stagger into the light Sun the cool was shining softly a moment ago too hotly now beats down on my stumbling steps to red tractor now return and carefully lowered the deck and push it underneath and most carefully it align swinging levers to attach and set with shining pins drag bar to attach and cables set in place loops of metal with oil slick most carefully must undo that belts of rubber frayed on pulleys then be placed sun does hotly pierce my flesh as task is done and grass hives have made itching fiercely on my flesh opening the hinged hood the oil level to check the gas tank to be filled and the stopcock to undo my pants of denim blue within the pocket deep lies the shining key that the power will be free hands now soiled with black grease the choke now engages the lock now is undone and captive lightning is set free cranking coughing sounds engaging into a roar white smoke briefly does blow as the engine settles down carefully the lever I set to the proper speed shift it into the right gear and the brake release lurching it forward goes and I steer it into place long winter grass to mow that green it might now become grabbing the lever long the deck height to be set the power takeoff to engage sharp blades spinning cut the tractor now does shake and with roaring forward goes cutting down the tender life on a warm spring day