Waiting to be taken anywhere from here

Four tall plastic laundry baskets stand mutely in the dark

Some contain neatly folded items

Others are in a large tangled knot

Unattended in the quiet

Waiting to be taken anywhere from here.

Dishes litter the kitchen table

Unrecognizable food crusted in bowls

Disastrous mountain of greasy burnt pans

Drowning in cold scummy water

Waiting to be taken anywhere from here.

Towels press tightly against the glass of the dryer door

Clothes mashed to the inside of the washers circular drum

Impatiently waiting baskets awkwardly lean against the wall

Time passes leaving everything rumpled, crumpled and musty

Waiting to be taken anywhere from here.

Guilt surfaces from years of pleasing

Carrying responsibility of family faults and inconsistencies

Pounding regret and anger ring

Unwanted tears stain and trail

Accommodating everyone’s wants and needs

Waiting to be taken anywhere from here.

* * * * * * * *

Now is the place

Now is the time of exasperation

Running barefoot in shorts through snowy winter weather

Feet black with dirt perched on the couch

Playing video games instead of doing homework.

Now is the time of waiting

Looking for moments to snuggle

Finding time to talk - about nothing

Wondering if this warm feeling is a precursor to menopause.

Now is the time of wondering

How will they pay for college?

Are they going to get married?

Will we be grandparents someday?

Now is the time of hoping

Santa Claus still exists

Children still value respect and honesty

Forgiveness to those who don’t believe anymore.

* * * * * * * *

Grandma’s House #2

When I slept over at Grandma’s house

The couch in the nook between the chimney and hall was mine. 

I fit perfectly pressing my feet flat against the warm bricks at night.

Watching TV from my berth, I would fall asleep contently,

Secure and warm beneath a handmade crocheted blanket. 

She was the maker of all our blankets.

Sitting in her faded brown velvet recliner, rocking and humming.

Miles and miles of yarn were knotted and twisted into wonderful warm coverings.

Creating blankets for baby showers and weddings and for kids going to college.

There were present for friends and for friends of friends and for relatives who lived in Michigan.

She created patterns with locking colors and some with large holes, others had fine fan-like chains that spiraled into circles.

She tried to teach me how to play with string

Patiently putting her marred cornflower blue hook in my hands.

Fumbling with the yarn,

I had brush burned my fingers,

And the knots resisted to slid down the neck of the hook.

Impatiently, I would promise to finish it later.

That promise would be forgotten

Tucked under a cushion or dropped behind the sofa.

I never did learn to crochet with a hook.

I did learn to finger crochet with my young daughter.

Side by side we would twiddle our string

Coaxing a long belt of knots to grow between our hands.

What fun to share and giggle and create

This is what I missed most

At Grandma’s house

* * * * * * * *

Just a Cup of Coffee

Just a cup of coffee

No gas

Everyday 6:45 am

Linda and Camilla at the Citgo on Rt. 130

Autumn Spice or French roast

Extra half and half

More 2% milk than coffee

Using a refillable 20 oz. coffee mug

89 cents

What a bargain!

Drop 11 cents in the penny dish

Over the radio Monty announces the birthdays

Damn!

Late again

Dash out the door

Pass the smoking guy

Pumping gas into his car with

Just a cup of coffee.

* * * * * * * *

I’m late.

I’m late.

It’s dark out.

Must get coffee.

Park,

radio off,

engine off,

grab refillable cup,

snatch wallet,

auto lock doors

jog inside,

weave between the police officer,

Out of French Roast

sway behind the UPS dude

Breakfast Blend

wait, wait, wait

construction guy moved

get lots of milk

shake two packets of brown rock sugar

ignore the line

catch Linda’s eye

wave a dollar and slap it by the Slim Jims.

89 cents

change to Jerry’s kids

dash out

auto unlock the car

sun is dawning.

I’m really late.