The Dish-Washer

The red soapy liquid foams up the tub of rising water The daunting pile of dishes waits to be cleaned The yellow gloves are donned as the hot suds rise The inside of his gloves feels slimy and wet. First the cups are done, Crusty forks Sauce-stained spoons Buttery knives Slippery bowls Oily plates Smelly containers… … their lids Giant pots … …Greasy pans An hour of repetitive scrubbing and rinsing It tests his patience to scrape residue off a baking dish By the time he is done it is past midnight He pours the dirty water down drain along with his energy His back hurts and he is exhausted He wipes off the counter and stumbles through the dark house to his room Free until tomorrow night