for Dec 20

The Washing Machine Chugs

The steely gray sky urges me back inside

where the washing machine chugs,

the woman in the wheelchair calls

and my husband murmurs to her

in his deep voice as he helps her,

and the washing machine chugs,

the man sits in the chair next to me

playing with a toy flashlight

with a confused ladybug that lights the way,

and the washing machine chugs,

the cat sits on my lap, my keys tap,

and the washing machine chugs.