Being a former teacher, I tend to
evaluate situations with grades.
I always considered myself an A-,
certainly at least a B+, in Neatness,
but not compared to my husband.
Socks come to mind.
They take every opportunity to escape,
especially from the dreaded dryer.
My sock drawer represents diversity;
There are a lot of mixed couples.
Somehow, my husband is a sock dictator.
They don’t dare run away from him.
His socks are calling to me,
Sending a strong message.
Here we are neatly arranged in a row,
All folded perfectly in the drawer,
As orderly as we can get.
My socks across the room are screaming,
We are in a jumbled mess!
Only a few pairs put together;
Some of us are spilling out of the drawer.
What’s the matter with this situation?
Seriously, we beseech you!
You, who inhabit the same house:
Will you ever make a matched pair?


© by Jane H. Fitzgerald.
Used with the author's permission.