provincial

sweep the dust from the tabletop the footprints from the tiles

shake the covers pull them taut against the frame

turn on lights at that hour before dawn

turn them off as then, the sun does its work

pause before the potted plants determine them

sated

enough for a few more days

pull the bins from the curb the weeds from the gardens the loose leaves and limbs from the trees the wisps of hair from my eyes

ritual