修剪灌木丛的建议--杰夫.库莫

脚步咚咚走去宣布你的存在。
它们一听见你来
野兔和鹿都将离开
但蛇需要时间
审核你的意图。

花费一刻确定
你要剪下什么。
许多茎杆看上去好似
紧挨着地面倒下，
尤其它们还未成熟。
偶尔查看查看。

不要因荆棘快速掠过
你的脸和臂，
对野蔷薇感到不满
或者忍冬花藤
纠缠上你的脚
从你的手中扯走修枝剪。
你在它们的位置
也会那样做
用修剪干净给它们光荣。

生气时永远不要开始
否则你可能剪个不停
直至没有什么东西留下来
保持水土。

总是要带着手套
眼睛盯着
刀锋。
Walk noisily to declare your presence.
The rabbits and deer will leave
as soon as they hear you coming,
but the snakes need time
to process your intentions.

Take a moment to be certain
of what you’re cutting.
Many stems look alike
down close to the ground,
especially when they’re young.
Look up occasionally.

Don’t begrudge the wild roses
for whipping thorns across
your face and arms,
or the honeysuckle
for tangling your feet
and pulling the pruners
from your hands. You’d do
the same in their place.
Honor them with a clean cut.

Never begin when you’re angry
or you might not stop
until there’s nothing left
to hold the soil.

Always wear gloves
and keep your eye
on the blade.
“Some Advice for Clearing Brush” by Jeff Coomer from A Potentially Quite Remarkable Thursday. © Last Leaf Press, 2015