
I CAN CLEAN TOO!
I hoovered the whole house
mopped the tile floors
dusted and polished surfaces
watered then pruned the plants
shook out rugs and mats
sprayed the shower and sink
I hoovered all my mouth
mopped under my armpits
sprayed my toes for athlete's foot
scrubbed and polished my pate
pruned nails on fingers and feet
washed and shook my few silver hairs
I hoovered the lawn for stray leaves
scrubbed and brushed the patio
washed and sprayed the outdoor chairs
pruned the dangerous berberis
pulled up many weeds from cracks
swept up the straggly catkins
I hoovered my brain for wayward thoughts
soaked my imagination in soda crystals
cleared the drains of my subconscious
painted over grout of memory gaps
polished my reason till it shone ,
but tidied excuses into a box, just in case.