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Morning musing
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Protestations 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
