Washing Dishes

By Richard L. Provencher

Wed, 09 Jan 2013
  • 694 reads
3 comments
 

an ordinary task
part of everyday living
done by hand---this morning’s dance
brings to mind the children
and their ways
sometimes scrapping
over a pretty bowl
now the girls are up and growing
with families far away.

She ponders the memories
from back then
as she raises a glass to test its
sparkle like little Jan
a perky one full of questions
and Lilly bold---assured.
She’s tired now
puts away the towel and turns
to the living room
where smiling faces is a picture
of life---but now she rests.

© Richard L. Provencher

Certificate U
Poem
POETRY - A Passage of Motion 3
Miscellaneous

Comments

Submitted by Bee on
Hi Richard, it's funny how something as ordinary as washing dishes can take you back in time. My first reaction when I started to read this was that the narrator was doing the washing, and slightly disappointed that 'she' had to do them - (that's because in my house, that would be me). I really liked the poem - the only bit that doesn't sound quite right yet, to me is the line about smiling faces. It's just the wording. I like the meaning - about family portraits, though. And I enjoyed the poem. Bee
Bee

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on
Thank you Bee for your comments and insight. I did wrestle with the last two sentences and finally settled on what is there. I will revisit the poem in a few weeks and see what needs new breath. Yes, writing about the simple everyday things or happenings in life is a worthwhile challenge by breathing zing into normal, and perhaps mundane duties. But then, nothing is mundane when sharing the muse, eh? Richard LP
Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by ScoZen on
"...with families far away..." Leave the dishes in the sink and go and visit.
ScoZen