The Autumn Snowplow

Who says snowplow season has to wait for winter? Trundling out past the doorstop onto the chilly concrete porch, I spotted a stiff, cupped brown maple leaf wedged against the wall—curved just like a heavy-duty wedge plow blade! I nudged my front buffer straight into its hollow stem, locking it firmly against my coupling hook. With my wheels spinning furiously on the gritty slab, I surged straight into a drift of fallen pine needles and stray gravel. Scraaaaape-whoosh! The leaf parted the debris cleanly off to both sides, carving a spotless line across the porch. Ordinary engines wait for maintenance crews; real engines clear their own line!