Yesterday she
made the beds,
took a shower,
picked up his dirty clothes,
went to the market,
burned dinner,
and dreamed of a better tomorrow.

Then she
scolded the kids,
did volunteer work,
bought a new lipstick,
did the laundry,
looked in the mirror,
and wished she were younger.

Yesterday she
washed the dishes,
vacuumed the living room,
went to the library,
read Lady Chatterley’s Lover,
made love,
and wished he were younger.

Then she
stared at the walls,
walked in circles,
cried to her mother,
explained to her children,
packed her clothes
and left for all she’d been missing.

Today she
made the bed,
took a shower,
picked up her dirty clothes,
went to the market
sent out for dinner
and dreamed of a better tomorrow.

Then she
missed the kids,
got a job,
bought a new lipstick,
did the laundry,
looked in the mirror,
and wished she were younger.

Today she
changed the linens,
changed her image,
changed her outlook,
went to a singles bar,
made love,
and wished that he cared, because

Tomorrow she wants to
meet his folks,
share his name,
cook his breakfast,
pick up his dirty clothes,
share their children,
and live the life she’s been missing.

�1997Laverne H. (Pollak) Bardy