Raking - Nov. 15, 2024

I pull the dying leaves

into piles such interesting

colors of death kids play in

trees naked and bereft

another year swept away

by me and a heartless wind

life has left the branches

moved deep underground

into bunkers and cellars

soon winter will pound

from above spear cold

into the doors they live behind

time will go too slowly

they’ll sleep and dream the worst

of what they’ll find up there

then one day it happens

with a few degrees of hope

the first bud swells

someone hurries down to

the living and awakens them

with a few hard knocks

quick they need your help

it’s starting again