the empty spaces

I take the day off.

but I get to work anyway
staining

the new wood fence.

a gallon of alkyd teak.
a brush.

the music on.
coffee.

birds stop by on the edge
of the fence

to see how things are going.
by noon

it's done.
I stand back and take a picture.

i like to fill in
the empty spaces of my life that are

left undone.