She washed until her knuckles were white

Other people’s clothes,

With her own lye soap,

Up and down the washboard.

Swoosh whoosh

Pewter tub;

Where is love?

No one knows.

No one cares.

But she sees

The world of the geese go by.

Pristine water,

Cattails waving in the wind.

Picture-perfect,

 

But

 

She is outside looking in,

Washing other people’s clothes

With her own lye soap.

 

Abigail Drach
Age 13, Grade 8,
Hunter College High School
Gold Key