CLEAN UP

She came to clean the house-

the dung of Augeas.

I suppose it would take

a new Hercules

to do it.

I was in despair.

I begged her

not to leave me alone

in there again.

“Sorry for the mess,” I said,

asking to be forgiven.

“I can no longer

keep his house tidy.

I don’t know…

I don’t feel like it…

I don’t love him

as I did.

Maybe I am older.

Maybe I am punishing him.

I will pay you more.

Just bear our dirt.

Take it away.

Throw it away.”

And she said:

“I was not meant

to be a housekeeper.

But I need the money.”

I felt worse.

But she needed the money.

How could I push her away

from her destiny?

I could not afford

to pay

for her lost dreams too.