Ritual

Time comes, as it inevitably
does, for those little rituals
that comprise the measure
of our quotidian lives. Urgent
but not too necessary, yet
comforting tasks that reflect
the seasons and the unstoppable
passage of the times of our lives.

Our days are indeed surfeit
with these familiar and homely
tasks that present, urging us to
recognize their timely due.
For everything in life there is a
season and that becomes the
unvarying reason we take to these
persistent tasks. For example,
tidying up the fall gardens,
anticipating winter's arrival.

So we trudge out to perform
such dutiful tasks as cleaning up
autumn detritus. We cut back
perennials, compost annuals, and
we carefully plant spring bulbs.
Then we ruefully replant those same
bulbs after squirrels have indulged
in their witless fall rituals.