Sometimes plans are disrupted, things go array,
All the normal activities through the window fly,
That happened to me this mornings plans laid out,
My spouse had other ideas now my sanity’s in doubt.
Ice the Christmas cake, a little more shopping to do
Write a list of what I need to see Christmas through,
Clean the windows, clean in fridge to make space,
Finish putting the knick-knacks up all over the place.
String the Christmas cards, see who we forgot, if any
But all that went by the board, my legs turned to jelly,
Move the books off shelves place hidden china there,
Move them all over the place arrange everything with care.
Take down all the family pictures from the very long wall
Drop everything to wash it down before anyone should call,
Now where shall we put everything, where shall we find space.
Up and off to visit a friend leaving the house an utter disgrace.
Wash down the dusty walls, re-vacuum the living room floor,
Arrange all the china nicely, try and replace tidily once more
All the clutter everywhere, now try and catch up with my list,
It is as though the whole day of chores did not really exist.
The wall is long and empty, it is also now all nice and clean,
We will put new family portraits up where all the clutter had been,
The china looks pretty all on display on the homemade bookshelf,
But after today I really wonder if again I will ever be myself!
(Millicent) Ann Margetson December 11, 2002