In the Kitchen, Late at Night

In the Kitchen, Late at Night

everyone is sleeping

in this house certainly

in the world outside seemingly

all, of course, except me

as the night transforms 

into early morning

I cannot sleep

I am compelled to work

not by anyone else

only by myself and

my obsession with

not facing the next day

in the kitchen are dishes

pots and pans and silverware too

from the dinner you made

and we all here ate

and I find that 

before I can allow myself

to lay down next to you

and drift into slumber beside you

I must empty the dishwasher

last night's dishes now clean if not all dry

run the hot water in the sink

into a pot full of knives and forks and spoons

I rinse each dish 

I scrub some that will be a problem

and I  put them in the dishwasher

add the Dawn close the door and start it up

and as the dishes are doused with water

I am doused with sleepiness 

that now feel a satisfaction 

and can join you at last

©2009-Art Belliveau