Doing Yard Work, Recovery is Hard Work

I have mowed this yard for years.

I know that there are turns and twists

around the corner of the house

that you cannot see from here.

If you mow this yard, you may choose

not to go to the end of the daisies

and then pull back

where the tulips will come up in the spring.

You may mow this yard

and retrace each line

without turning around and I

always turned around at each end.

If you mow this yard, I can

watch you and call out advice

and encouragement. I can

pick up sticks so they won't

spin out from under to

catch you on the leg.

But if you mow this yard,

dear sister, please know that if will be

your muscles that push the machinery.

It is you who will sweat and curse the sun.

It is you who must do the work.

But I am here, in the yard.

I have mowed this grass many times.

I offer you iced tea

and words of encouragement.