! The Toad Not Raken

Now that the frost has gone its rimy way there’s the matter of that long grass that meets the undergrowth at the end of the garden; time to take steps to tidy it. two rakes awaited my decision: there’s the metal one, which makes hard work but scarifies the moss and aerates the top soil as well – and the wooden one, slightly Japanese looking, its tines further apart, and easier on the arms, which combs the long grass rather than removes it, setting it up for the strimmer when the grass dries off. But I remembered how last year’s early raking disturbed a sleepy toad and, to my shame, partially dismembered it. These little choices make our road and name us. I took the gentler wooden rake, and dragged it careful-slow; the reward, a scuttling movement in the grass ahead. Two rakes were there for me to make my choice; I’m glad I took the one less often used, the gentler one. Though looking at the grass, it's hardly made any difference. (For all respectful but mischievous poetry fans)