This poem was chosen for publication as writelink resources (paid for) monthly poem (on the theme of friends) in May 2008.

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Housework

Today, cleaning the sofa, buffing
leather to a shine, I thought of you
and how I used to love the feel of your skin:
uncreased and glowing its natural sheen.

I heard the tumble drier giggle,
washing machine sing; sounds of cooking
up fun, mopping up the sun: unironed
enjoyment of everything we did.

Today, cleaning the mirror, I tried
to unsmear years, streaks of make-up,
wrinkles of grime, and find the friend
I used to laugh with all the time.

Sarah James