backwash tender_square the pressure gauge had put on love handles. he released the lever and ten pounds of rushing water belched from a series of connected white pipes. it cascaded down the outdoor stairwell and pooled in the basin below. dirt detritus and pinnatisect leaves twirling in the waterspout. i yelled at him to cut the flow; it was going to overtake the threshold and leak inside the house. he removed his socks and shoes and stepped barefoot against the concrete and moss steps. with his hands he gathered all that fled and clung. i screwed in the spout extender to the patio drain to initiate once more. he refused; he said he was done. twenty minutes later, history repeated itself: the washed out waterfall along the steps, my yelling across the rapids. this time i descended down the stairwell and collected what clogged the drain. 230628 what's it to you? who go blather from