Raking Wet Leaves
a Study in Frustration
cursing, I rake the wet leaves
that cover the flower beds
I worked so hard to maintain
during this pandemic summer
muttering an irritated
“damn you!” under my breath
I scowl at the neighbor’s
towering maple tree
whose fallen leaves conceal
the outcome of my labor
as raindrops spatter my glasses
I squint up at the sky
a frustrated “seriously!?”
rushes to escape my frown
my hair has already started to frizz
I walk back toward the shed
shaking my head in defeat
with resolve I put the rake away
stomp the mud from my boots
and grin
“This job can wait ‘til Spring”
Sydney Duke Richey writes from the heart. Inspired by everyday experiences, her poems, haiku and creative non-fiction come from a slice of her life.
Sydney lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.
