cycles of causality

What if every task that you began
knocked down a glass
to start another one
of dustpan, brush and dump
the shards
- you've ripped
the trashcan liner! Now
the whole thing must be sorted out.
It isn't hard. Pull a new
and empty bag, stretched out anew
and held somehow, upended down
and over can, and flip
it over emptiness, and shake,
and shake. It tumbles in, and yes!
The new bag held. Victory,
now throw it out. Just
to be safe, and through with it.

But on the way
back in, a vase

is beautiful. With flowers
cut and fresh. One day

your turn will come. But now,
you breathe and look and see
just why it all had to be done.

And how, unfortunately.