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Last Chores of Fall
- Wayne State University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
18 Last Chores of Fall ThetraceofOctoberlingering alongtheridgebehindourhouse, theexhaleofyellow-gold withinthestaggerofoaks tellsusitistimetomoveinside, letourbloodreturntoitsquiet wander,theyearnowbrowning towardasuddenfrost.This afternoonIwillslowlyuproot theimpatiens,tossing theirgaspsofpink,white, andsalmonintothedark ofthecompostpile.Remembering tobendattheknees,I’llcarry thecrackedandchippedpots backtothegarden’sshed, stackthem,lettingtheclay ofonepotsettleintothedirt inanother.I’llbringin thegeraniums,theirtwisted, leggystemsnearlyleafless, andcutthemdowntohopeful nubs,thensetthemonthesill. ThedogswillwatchasIwash anddrythetrowelmyfather usedforthirtyyears.Each yearheaddedanotherrow ortwoofflowers.I’llhang 19 thetrowelonitsrustynail. Thedogswilllifttheirmysterious nosesintothechangingair,into thesmellsofmud,moldering leaves,thescentofapproaching snowalongthestreambelow thebarrenridge.ThenIwill turnbacktothehouse,thesun burningdownearlyintoitssetting. ...