Kitchen Care

This poem is a lighthearted analysis of cleaning habits that work best. Sadly, knowing this makes me no more likely to use them. In an ideal world everyone’s kitchen would be sparkling when they come home. But even if yours isn’t, when you’ve been gone for a while, there’s still no place like home.

Nothing keeps a kitchen clean like constant use.

Drives away procrastination and excuse.

When you know a takeaway is not in store,

Then you wipe the countertops a little more.

When you know that guests are coming any time,

Then you sweep and vacuum up the grease and grime.

When it’s habit just to give a little squirt,

Then you stand a chance against the dust and dirt.

Knowing you must cook a meal, both fair and fowl,

Makes you clean the dishes like a real night owl.

And when you spend a week away, are supped and dined–

But not at Home–

Returning’s nothing but sublime.

Copyright 2023 Andrea LeDew

For an essay about other thoughts that come to mind around the kitchen table, read Our Stems are Fragile. For a defense of the decision not to work and to focus on family instead, read Depth of Experience: Career vs. Family. For a poem on housekeeping read House Proud.