Written: December 09, 2023
____________________________________
solitary slope whispers below
by the vernacular aphonic
with a fierce wind and unbiased rock
bucolic vibe is ponderous
It's chameleon patois
In schizoid iridescence and fluffy sky
I decipher everything
while trudging uphill as blind
Into the mouth of irrational tempest
no reason to stay here
as haze covers the sky
crows excel at tracing the white trail.
Rake leaves in a pile
As big as my wildest dream
Then I jump in it
gravel
crunchy like carrots
except I like them
can't say the same for
what's
grating to shovel
grinding to rake
and there's over a ton
would've bought Thanksgiving
got that
you have your truck
get me some gravel
sure
why not
shoveling gravel
like putting up with a fussy baby
except I love the baby
hot sweaty tired dusty
arms shoulders back sore
feels good
gonna take
two loads more
spreading gravel
like spreading the love
except...
Leaf Factories
or
Just Rake The Leaves Without Whining
By: Tom Wright
11/25/99
I see leaves,
in assorted hues of red, yellow, and rust,
reminding me of paint splotches,
from the palate of some Grand Master,
moving ever slightly with each wind gust.
They blanket the ground as color on canvas,
and in thought I try to see
just how it would be, if God,
like man, had tired from His labors
and foregone speaking into existence the tree.
I ponder, where would the creatures stay,
both great and small,
or where would songbirds build their sheltered nests'
if no trees existed
from which these leaves would fall.
I think, where would I, find welcome shade
to escape the midday heat,
and of the holes I dig each spring,
for the planting of other trees,
and the potential joy that each might bring.
I think of things we build from wood
and of clean fresh air as photosynthesis takes place.
Then with sheepish look,
in haste, I rake, shred, and compost
until there's left no trace.
winters over now
a rake leans on the tree bark
let the fun begin.
Need to rake, rake the underbrush
where fallen leaves begin to blow and rush
across the forest floors in flutters
or lay thick piled in the gutters.
Where is that rake with its steel spikes
ready and able to eradicate the flight
of leaves piled deep and high
racing along the horizontal land and sky.
Rake, rake, rake
give that deciduous tree a sturdy shake
until every leaf has fallen down
and the forest lay silent without a sound.
Along the paths, just at the edge
we need to rake the leaves beneath the hedge,
blow and mulch this undergrowth
until it's cleared with every stroke.
Is that okay,
to do it in the winds of autumns play
with fires in the distant sky
threatening woodland creatures, human lives?
Finland didn't know
they had the answer for this devastating show
of Californians worst historic tragedies
that brought most every empathetic dreamer to their knees.
Every used rake should visit the dentist
~ for a possible toothache
Had To Rake The Lake
What we had to do was rake the lake,
And then after that will take a break;
Rest for a while;
Nails would file;
Went home and cake started to bake.
Jim Horn
deadly hemlock's kiss
not on the breeze in her lips...
earthly wounds opened.
© Harry J Horsman 2014
with bamboo rake
piling in a heap
leaves let go
for children
to jump in
blankets of golden leaves
red veined
four keep
cover the yard
dont rake
Gone are the days when I sunbathed in ease
Drank lemonade, and did what I pleased
Betrayed by the Autumn kissed sycamore trees
Now ...I'm up to my shoulders in red and gold leaves!
he hated fall
leaves do fall
his spirits too
and raking leaves
he hated to do
but one day he
was to learn
that evil rake
your butt he'll burn
he stepped upon
the rake's sharp head
and holed his sneakers
he even bled
but just to add insult
to injury
the handle whipped up
and broke his knee
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