7th November 2026

 

wheelbarrows

gathered among the dead

rust in peace

© Rachel Green October 2026

Mum would be a Young Woman to me

My mother did the dishes at night;

wiped down the counter,

washed the Aga's hot enamel,

emptied the teapot on the hydrangea outside

(she swore it kept it pink)

dried the plates and put them away.

She was the last to bed

and the first to rise in the morning.

I am first to rise in the morning

but never the last to bed.

If I do the dishes at night

there's a fresh sinkful in the morning

so now my morning is to feed the dogs

then do the dishes while they eat.

© Rachel Green October 2026