Systematically

I move the vacuum across the floor.

Even though I know it won’t be long

before I’ll have to vacuum once more,

it feels good to see the dog hair

and tracked-in dirt disappear.

I wish I could as easily clean 

the mess my angry words

made earlier in the day,

but while the floor relinquishes

dirt with ease, I don’t expect

the one I hurt to do the same.

Some things require more time

and a deeper clean.

                                                                                      JDG