Leaf removal battle has taken a Shakespearean twist! – Michael William Morse(speare)

by Michael Morse, contributing writer

King Michael V: What’s he that wishes so?

These leaves that fall with purpose? No, my fair homeowners: If we are mark’d to die to keep our lands fallen leaf free – to do our landscape proud; and never to leave them where they fall, for the fewer leaves have we, the greater share of honour.

God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one leave more.

By Jove, I am not covetous for perfection, Nor care I who doth fall upon my neighbor’s lawn;
It yearns me not if bags upon bags are filled;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet a leave free view,
I am the most offending soul alive.

No leaves! I would not lose so great an honour, As one man more, methinks, would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more! Rather proclaim it, Morseman, through my host, that he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him hire others; his passport shall be made
And hired landscapers take his place, paid mercenaries who care not for the lands upon which the hoardes of tree litter cover, and put dollars in their coffers, rather than the blood from the blisters thus conveyed.

We would not bleed in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to toil with us.
This day is called the feast of Leaf Day
He that outlives this day, and cleans his lawn
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Leaf Day
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say ‘To-morrow is Leaf Day:’

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say ‘These wounds I had on Leaf day.’
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words

Bob, my neighbor, Norman and Kate
Dave and Neil, Karen and Don,
Be in their flowing rakes freshly remember’d.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Leaf Day shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember’d;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that rakes these leaves with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in New England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That shed their blood whilst maintaining their property, on this glorious battlefield known to all as Our Yards on Leaf Day.

The battle continues . . . 

That’s my front yard, one hour after my first assault on the wretched tree litter. More to follow. The battles will continue until Christmas day.

___

Read more article by Michael Morse, here: https://rinewstoday.com/michael-morse/

Michael Morse, [email protected], a monthly contributor is a retired Captain with the Providence Fire Department.

Michael Morse spent 23 years as a firefighter/EMT with the Providence Fire Department before retiring in 2013 as Captain, Rescue Co. 5. He is an author of several books, most offering fellow firefighter/EMTs and the general population alike a poignant glimpse into one person’s journey through life, work and hope for the future. He is a Warwick resident.