Raking The Leaves

A meditation on endings.

Today, I read after 13 years of searching
a researcher finally reached his mecca.
In the tiger-filled rainforests of Western Sumatrat
the botanist broke down in tears
as he spotted the Rafflesia Hasseltii—
a parasitic bloom. A pilgrimage complete.

And I simply go out to the backyard
to rake common leaves from our common trees,
to avoid our all-too-common argument.

Today, after 13 years of belonging,
a married man finally reaches his conclusion.
On the unfertilised lawn of Western Washington,
he breaks down in tears
amongst aphids and whiteflies—
parasitic signs he can no longer ignore.

From the window, a neighbour looks down:
a rusted rake discarded,
a lawn overgrown,
the autumn leaves blowing gently in the wind.