A redwrapped
foil held
biteful chocolate
heart

stashed in a yellow envelope
with handwriting that could be yours
on the outside.

For me.

It held more than --

It held clean kitchen counters
with crumbs swept daintily under appliances.
Gritty granules of yesterday hastily moved
to make more time.
Of clean floors,
wooden,
- for the bare feet -
and shoes, helterskelter -
        I did always intend to leave them tidy, but shoes have lives of their own
                 it seems.
- Never leave slippers in a cupboard,
you don't know what they might do
unattended --
I said.

Of wet sleeves
and damp tea towels
skinned over cupboard doors
with that scrubbed-clean
thoroughly-made-pink-from-the-evening scent.

washwet clothes dripping

but crisp new towels hanging hot
winter-fresh bedding

clothes always tangled on the floor
- for who has time to sort out socks when the body missing for months has finally come and bags are down toes out and hot water soap and hands together wet hair clean ready for cool shifting pillows and arms of dry towels -
before sun cuts skin and breakfast shouts in the morning.