INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE HOUSESITTER

If the door has blown closed, open it. You do not need a key. Feed the birds. There is seed in the blue jar.

Pick the apples, eat the cherries. Make wine from the grapes. Do not eat the yellow pears for they are bitter.

The garden is full of deep green weeds. Cook them in oil. They will make you strong.

When dew shines on the leaves go out and wet your feet. The copper basin holds rainwater to wash your hair.

Milk the goats at sunrise and sunset. Drink what you like and make the cheese.

The dogs will kiss you awake. The cats will sing you to sleep.

They will tell you what they wish to eat. They will tell you what to dream.

At midnight, the owls will come. The great gray owl will speak. Listen.