Handbook

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HANDBOOK


At what point exactly 

does a drought become—

with the very bloom 

it withers—perennial? 


The shovel leans against 

the white shed, rusting 

in the thought of rain, 


and off Happy Valley Road

a pasture is deemed ripe

for harvest and a flock 

of yellow Cats led out to graze.


When in this development

does it become wisdom 

to sell your inheritance? 


So much is said 

about progress, so little 

about what to do 

with the handful of left-over 

seeds beside the trowel  

at the bucket's bottom.


As with the dusty manuals

you found when cleaning out

the shed, and most any advice

on how to make something

of this,

            best throw this out. 

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