Devonne Brown

Learning. We’re learning to live together. It’s hard. It’s inconvenient and it’s damned frustrating. You wait for me to take the lead without initiative. If you see it, take care of it. How hard is it to empty a full trash can without being asked to do so? 

Pay attention and don’t wait for permission to clean up after yourself. If it’s dirty, wipe it up. Pick up a duster, or a sweeper, or your clothes. You’re an adult, I can barely keep up with myself, I can’t keep up with you too. Work with me, are you blind? Why are your socks on the couch?

I’m too tired to argue and fuss about mess today. A spurt of energy and anger will clear it all away. You’ll feel intimidated and bad and help right everything. All will be perfect for a week and fall again into this commonplace crusty, dusty milieu of distress. 

Clothes will be in piles of dark and light on the bedroom floors waiting for their turn in the washer and dryer before you know it. Dirt and grime cannot be contained to hard surfaces. 

Please Lord, don’t let the machines die before we start all this over again.