clearing land

your yard so
long ignored,
is square, not
large, but
filled with
weeds and bushes,
a tree
half dead
and bent from
thirst and age,
and other
things you have
no knowledge of.
you suspect
that there are
snakes, and
rodents in
the tall grass.
you can feel their
presence, afraid
of you, as you
are afraid
of them.
but you have
an axe, a saw,
a rake, a
hoe, and you are
determined
this time
that things will
change
for the better.
you clear
the land, pulling
with two
hands at the vines
that climb
the walls
and this is just
a start.