Naturally

Leaves shield unripe 
fruit from too much heat—These 

are the times between bloom 
and shrivel, pucker and pout. 

Lately, rain has turned
into pellets of hail, strafing

the roofs and windows.  
When the sun comes out again,

the man who cuts our grass 
returns to trim the overgrowth 

along the walk—it's been a while,
and sometimes we think

the neighbors are hinting 
we've let our front yard grow

too shaggy or too wild. 
We don't own a cordless

leaf blower, chainsaw, or hedge
trimmer. I leave the pine cones

mostly on the grass 
where they fall—when they do, 

they've already released their seed.
Along with other twigs and leaves,

in time they'll turn into compost.
Skin rolls up into itself before surrender.