Endless Task

Fall brings a stark reminder that what is up eventually comes down.

Memphis, the Mid-South, and many, many leaves.

The “leaf gods” were angry and my backyard paid the price. Leaves rained down from the trees like locusts descending upon Pharoah’s Egypt. Big orange leaves, narrow brown leaves, even pine tree needles covered literally every inch of the yard. Our border collie, Zoe, crashed through the crunchy detritus in search of her favorite ball. Looking out from our kitchen’s picture window, I shook my head in frustration.

“When will this madness end?” I shouted to the heavens.

What had sparked the gods anger? Earlier that morning, I had finished cleaning and clearing the backyard of leaves and twigs from an overnight storm. Over-filled leaf bags lined the rear fence we shared with the next-door neighbors. My back and legs hurt from stooping and scooping, while my arms were sore from stuffing and plunging — movements familiar to any Mid-South homeowner with trees. After several hours of raking, my shoulders screamed “enough,” joining my back and arms in misery.