19th December 2022

 
rain, rain
makes the ice go away.
Thank fuck.

© Rachel Green December 2022

Mom's nightly routine

Close the curtains at dusk:
all of them; four bedrooms, bathroom,
three sitting rooms: there were no curtains
in the kitchen, it looked out on woods.
This was to keep the heat in
but every morning we'd scratch frost
from the inside of the glass.

Send the dogs into the garden:
Last wee; last poo; last bark
then each gets a bowl of tea
followed by a bowl of milk.
Set the hard chairs on the sofa
to stop them sleeping there.

Lock all the doors before bed:
the three outside doors
mortice lock and two bolts each;
every interior door in case
a burglar broke in because then
he could only rob one room
but we had nothing of value.

Do the dishes;
a clean kitchen is a clean mind.
wipe the surfaces, feed the cat.
Prop the tiny toilet window open
so she can get in and out.
Unplug the television, lest it catch fire;
hang up your housecoat,
dip into the Nivea
Make sure the kids have put their lights out.
Say a prayer to Mary.

© Rachel Green December 2022