The Nuisances of A Day

Within the last hour

pollen from the spruce trees

flew in clouds

above the back lawn

It coats any surface

brazen enough

to face the sky

Summer heat returned today

for the first time it seems

since this year began

Mother's range of comfort

must be maintained

so we pay for electricity

to warm her too much

in the winter

and cool her down in summer

I could live in both

goosebumps or sweat

my choices are simple

Laundry lays in baskets

to demand organization

What I do

can't be called folding

Woman folds

and man organizes

Yes, this thought seems sexist

but since I play the role

of both man and woman

in the house as I care for Mother

I decide the words I live by

Dust accumulates

always dust

somewhere here are bits of China

that find its way across the world

There must be words for dust

in Mandarin or Cantonese

either way it speaks to me

with unknown vowels

the remnants of dried-out bowels

The kitchen floor

speaks to me in bits of this and that

that fall as I cook

or move the groceries to their

appointed nests

Onions are the worst

always flaking from their nets

to what I think is a clean surface

They shame me as I make breakfast

Stay away from my raisin bran flakes

I scold

my tastes are much too simple

Now a dozen projects stare at me

as they demand some mental attention

this and that

here and there

I shake my head

to wonder what I can do today

beyond my comfortable place

next to Mother

where I protect her

from herself

I tell her what to eat

She forgets she has a left hand

Her right hand holds the tea

I know I shall have to tell her

to take a bite

Of what she'll ask

the banana in your left hand I'll say

It's been there for 20 minutes

while she sorts through

her breakfast items

A lonely banana cries

in her wilderness

with hope to be eaten

Copyright © 2013 by Barry G. Wick All rights reserved.