the sad ritual of watering empty soil

The cucumber trellis got blight last month, but I can't stop hauling the can along the row every evening. Told myself it's conditioning the soil, prepping for the fall crop — but honestly I think I just need the act of tending something, even when there's nothing left to save. It's like watering the ghost of a dog I don't have. Maybe that's what closure looks like: showing up for the routine long after the reason is gone.