Poetry Break

Chores
by Sarah Hall

How can I be so important
to have everyone in my household
need me?
That coat that always needs me
to keep it warm
during the rotten months of winter
has now asked for a bath.
Thank goodness my Generosity
faithfully continues its search
for the fountain of youth.
Patience, however, we'll not mention word of.
(His two and three day vacations
tend to stretch into fours and fives.)
Each bill is like a child -
"Me, me Mom! Me first!
I want to go first!"
When really
I don't want to have anything to do with them at all
(see prior statement concerning Patience.)
The carpet cries
the most mournful tears one has ever heard
dreading I should forget
(or perhaps just "postpone")
the weekly grooming.
I dare say that life around here
without me
would turn quite fragile.
And the bed needs a hug and the lights bulb needs a shift change
and I wonder if they call me God?