Weekend Work

Is it mother guilt 
that has me folding clothes 
on a static Saturday night? 
Wrinkles are frowns of disapproval; 
the after-hours 
turned inside out, 
and it’s my job to sort all
the household’s undergarments out, 
but the whole moment 
shrinks the ego;
gives me starchy fright.
A life of crisp corners,
stiff-collared bore.
Motherhood is a lifelong chore.

Cover Art: Karlotta Freier

16 responses to “Weekend Work”

Tom

Very poignant message with some great descriptions here – ‘Wrinkles are frowns of disapproval’, ‘A life of crisp corners, / stiff collared bore.’ Beautifully penned, K! 🙂

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Many thanks, Tom. There’s an art to even. laundering, or so it seems. I’m glad you enjoyed this piece. My classes start today, so hopefully new routines will settle and o can spend more time writing soon. 💜
  
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  1. Tom
    
    Good luck with it all! Hope your week goes well 🙂
    
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abigfatcanofworms

Oh this is so relatable! And so tightly written. Awesome!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  💜solidarity, Worms. Classes start here today and I already miss the writing time, although it seems even folding laundry presents an opportunity to think and be punny. 😁
  
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Nitin Lalit

I sense the frustration and ennui in this piece. So well written.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Nitin. A lovely compliment and accurate assessment of emotions.
  I appreciate you reading my piece.💜
  
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Jeff Flesch

Laundry will definitely shrink the ego. 😅 I love the light you are shining here, both by honoring motherhood, and also by relating, to me at least, that any growth process requires the ego to stand aside, and in many ways become a smaller aspect of our true self. Lovely write, K.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Jeff. You articulate a lot of what things are like a the moment. Caring for the family is important but my heart wants to spend more time writing, even when it’s not possible. 💜Thank you for connecting with me and this bit of brevity.
  
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jonicaggiano

This is a great piece. Motherhood is never over. Love this. Big hugs Joni 🤗🦋

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Joni. I think it’s when the tasks are all stacked that o start to feel this wa y. When the writing time gets squeezed out and I’m stuck writing verse in my head while cleaning. 🧹✨💜
  
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  1. jonicaggiano
    
    Our children are such a gift. I believe at least for me that responsibility was my greatest human responsibility. I was a worry wart though. I am sure you are a great mom. Big hugs to you. 🦋❤️🦋
    
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Narayan Kaudinya

Lovely tribute to mothers I guess, in all honesty and light. A little bit of everything was in it. Thanks K.

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writingwhatnots

I love how you personify the laundry. Sometimes I think my iron is hissing specifically at me!

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Susan Strasser, Blogger & Memoirist

Been there, done that! And the artwork is fab

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Susan Strasser, Blogger & Memoirist

p.s. Can I post a link to your blog on mine this week? I’m doing a bit on the power of poetry.

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