Things Could Be Worse

I have to know every step of the day in advance. I need to make a list when I go to bed at night. I don’t want to forget and I can’t take a chance On leaving something out, because it wouldn’t feel right. When I get up in the morning, the sun is still down. I must get ready early and line up my tasks. So, I get everything together to run around town, While the others start to wake, hoping nobody asks. I check my list that I wrote the night before, So I know what to make for Roy and the boys. It’s scrambled eggs and pancakes; each get four. But someone drank all the milk and I’m losing my poise. This ruins breakfast, throwing off my whole list. No milk for the pancakes or beverage on the side. As I leaver early for the store, I clench my fist. Dwelling on this, I put all other thoughts aside. When I get back home, there’s nobody in sight. The kids have left for school and Roy’s gone, too. Now there’s food half-cooked and they ate not a bite. I clean up the mess, wondering now what I should do. I check my list that I wrote the night before. The morning is a disaster and I know why. I have to do laundry now, then go back to the store To pick up the things that, earlier, I couldn’t buy. I don’t finish the clothes until sometimes around noon. It’s off to the cleaners now. I’m running so very late. My mind is racing. John will be home soon. I have to head back there. I can no longer wait. He’s waiting for me when I pull into the drive. I just know he’s been wondering where I’ve been. He sees me and says, “Don’t worry, you’re still alive. There’s a get-together at three, so we’ll rest until then.” I check my list that I wrote the night before. There are so many things that aren’t getting done. I head off again in a hurry, back to the store. I go to the cleaners, then home again to everyone. We go to our gathering at three with the others. I haven’t had time to even shave or shower. It’s been a long day, one thing after another. It makes me so angry, losing hour after hour. At the end of the day, after dinner is through, We all sit around the table and play a game. After it’s over, I decide to watch the news. I see all the horrible things and feel ashamed. How crazy I’ve been today, even quite sore, Trying to make sure that everything gets done. I check my list that I wrote the night before, Realizing the importance of a family being one.