Late Saturday afternoon,

familiar summer sound revs up,

neighbors’ lawn mower blats along

as the grass flings out of the chute.

A sudden metallic CLANG!

halts the motor abruptly.

Various *!@#!! words float up to the window beside my desk.

Futile pulling on the starter rope,

twice, four, five dammit times.

Surrender.

Evening quiet settles.