Clear the Grate

Walked down the gravel path toward the sidewalk to see what was out there. Near the curb, the cast iron storm drain grate was half-covered by a thick, wet cluster of brown sycamore leaves. Water from a neighbor’s hose was backing up into a sluggish puddle. Found a stiff, flat popsicle stick wedged between two curb stones. I picked it up, knelt by the heavy iron bars, and used the edge like a small scraper to pry and shove the damp leaf clump aside. Once the slots cleared, the water swirled down with a quiet gurgle. Neat and dry now.