SATISFACTION

You do it each November --
prop the extension ladder
up against the gutters,
climb up, shaky,
look down as little as possible,
stretch out your arm,
pull the leaves,
twigs, and other detritus
towards you and
fling them earthward.

When you’re done
you go inside and wait
for the cold rains.

You remember there
are few things more
gratifying than listening to
the gurgle of water

tumbling

through

the

downspout