Piker Press Banner
November 04, 2024
"Mes de los Muertos"

Minding the kids

By Kathleen Gray

Minding the kids

feathers in my coffee
children in my hair
pencils turning cartwheels
teddies block the stairs

butter balls that jingle
casseroles that chime
bowls and spoons are drumming
forks are beating time

duvets are deflated
pillows getting fat
candle-sticks are fighting
curtains falling flat

mirror’s broken-hearted
front door’s gone astray
horses ride their bicycles
jigsaws fly away

windows are unhappy
lamps are leaving home
dinosaurs are back in town
planes crash on the lawn

dictionaries mumble
cushions split in two
grass is red and purple
ancient oaks brand new

bookshelves overflowing
cakes can cure all ills
pine cones flex their fingers
Barbie’s popping pills

ghosts in Gucci sneakers
howling at the moon
footprints on the ceiling
Godot coming soon

pigeons squat the sofa
snakes have blocked the sink
no one eats their supper
think I need a drink







Article © Kathleen Gray. All rights reserved.
Published on 2024-06-10
Image(s) are public domain.
2 Reader Comments
Harvey
06/10/2024
01:55:45 PM
This piece is fun! The short sort of staccato tempo of the lines really gives a sense of the harried and overwhelmed narrator. Thanks for writing it.
David
06/11/2024
10:22:44 AM
A machine gun at the fairground plugging away at the daily frustrations but related with love. Loved the mirror broken-hearted, Alice having penetrated the other side of the looking-glass and desperate for that well-earned drink!
Your Comments






The Piker Press moderates all comments.
Click here for the commenting policy.