Covered by pre-dawn dark
they arrive and scatter,
picking up
where they left off
yesterday.
Silent and purposeful
like those amazing insects who
know exactly what to do.

Here, nameless behind masks
hard shell hats
dirt-streaked rubber boots
neon stripes flashing
in the wet grey morning
oblivious to all but job
these task-driven doers
mean business.

With light, a percussion serenade
(of sorts) draws us in
and then--
Comes the GIANT orange CAT
proudly wearing her name, CAT
single-clawed, lover of mud and rocks
she fires up
plunges her shark-sharp teeth into
the hard ground
as if pudding,
creates a black dirt mountain
then moves it, twice
(it looks like fun).

Storm or calm the show will go on
and on,
seasons bearing witness.
Blink and the scene will change
and change again.
Others will come,
bringing their own
awesome crafts,
and go
until, suddenly
the end
when, without fanfare,
without applause
the last of them will walk away
leaving behind
their glorious gift
a shining empty nest of
open doors
shouting “Welcome!”

—Susan, Northaven Independent Living Resident