Astigmatism

Astigmatism


She stands at the kitchen sink
Scrubbing the tea stains from a large cup
A drop of bleach in the water
Would do the job better
But her effort born out of persistent
Desires establishes her contribution to the family
Her value to the community and to society

As she scours the stains away she is
Working up in her mind her own mythology
Demonstrating an ongoing relevance
Even as her role has changed and is changing and
As she removes one set of signs left by someone else
Hopes to inspire the image of herself as a conscientious laborer
Doing what others should do

How much time goes to these small acts
Over a lifetime even as life changes
All those moments as a woman
Dealing with the attention and inattention of others
Wanted and unwanted the outline of a meaning
Stains in a cup left carelessly
Removed only by firm intention

If no one notices now
There were times in days past
Recollected only randomly those moments
When effortlessly she
Served as the center of interest
When without trying she was prized
When without wanting she was praised

As she stands cleaning the cup
Removing the casual residue only by firm intention
Those other times go unrecalled and
By their absence
Provide a stark contrast
The hollow sounds of stiff bristles
Against the pale porcelain

If no one notices now someone may in later years
Erect a monument to her
Marking the details of her good works
Causing others who never knew her to
Ask the questions
Who was this and why
This thing here until that time

When no one
Remains to remember and
Such tribute will be
As meaningless
As the stains she worked to remove
All feelings around and
The act itself

KLK
11/3/2013