This repetitive poem formed when I thought about cleaning the grime of a very exhausting day off of me. It occurred to me, how much more of our lives, besides just sweat and dirt and dust, we would love to get rid of, if all it would take would be the ease and pleasure of an evening wash.
Just as we look in the mirror and notice every flaw in our makeup and bag under our eyes, so too could we check the pockets of our emotional selves and determine the degree of cleanup needed. Once we have washed away all that troubles us, then perhaps at last, we could see the beauty that lies beneath.
Thanks for stopping by to read!
Before I wash the day away–
From nine to nine–I stop halfway
To check my progress, check my clothes,
And check the powder on my nose.
Before I wash the day away,
I check my meter of dismay,
My level of contagious glee,
My discord and my harmony.
Before I wash the day away,
I count my blessings, come what may:
I’ve you, four walls, and food to eat,
A working back and steady feet
And family that warms my heart
And cars that almost always start.
Before I wash the day away,
The blue skies turn a dismal gray,
And daylight wanes to midnight blue.
As I remove the grime and goo,
To enter netherworlds untrue,
I thank the Lord I get to do
So much, with many.
All, with you.
Copyright 2022 Andrea LeDew
For two generations of love, read Mother and Lovely: A Mother’s Blessing.
I love this poem and also your luminary prose—und nochmal vielen Dank, liebe Andrea, für ein ganzes Jahr von Gedichten und Prosa von Dir, die mich begleiten und erfreuen. Frohe Weihnachten und alles Gute für 2023 für Dich und Deine Familie!
Margrit
Thank you so much Margrit! I am so happy to have you take this journey with me and happy that my poems and stories have found with you a happy home. Alles Gute im NeuJahr. Und Frohe Weihnachten auch!🌲🎄🥂
I particularly like the last stanza.
Thanks Liz!
You’re welcome, Andrea!