What to Do with Leaves

What to do with leaves, if one cannot leave them Here beneath aspen, gum, maple and birch As what they become in winter, a kind of skirt To warm and feed fanned roots, is gather and Toss them on a garden. She spreads hers Over bed and path alike, with straw, with Dead grass and weeds, barn bedding, the contents Of kitchen bucket and tumble barrel, along With any foliage that comes to hand, even prunings If too small to bother with for her iron stove.

This is for worms and all their small companions Heaving aside the earth of path and bed alike, Leveling and loosening, making untilled tilth.

Evening comes and she stills, listening As the city of humus thrums toward spring.

Very likely it's best to interfere not Even this much in things, she tells herself, yet She's always loved to tell her children: eat.