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To Do List
by
Rob Baker
Atop ragged-edged scratch paper
I write "Mon."
and under this copy
Sun.’s uncrossed-off items:
"buy birdseed,"
"b-day e-card to Adele,"
"call re: basement leak,"
"bring ashes to cemetery,"
for instance
I notice one task on the Sunday list
("Pour boiling H2O down drains")
that I did but forgot to cross off,
so I scratch it out now.
Then I remember: this morning
I polished my black shoes--
though this wasn’t on the list--
so I write "polish shoes"
then draw a line through it.
Creating and destroying lists
brings a certain sense of satisfaction,
and of futility.
My friend, a psychologist,
(who witnessed my list-making habits on overdrive
when she visited during my eight-day hospice vigil),
said, "List-making gives the illusion of control."
Onto the Mon. list I copy "Start exercising,"
an item that first appeared in May, 2002,
and ever since has been transferred daily.
I’ve never had the pleasure
of scratching it off,
but its presence on repeated lists underscores
the sincerity of my determination to do it
soon.
© by Rob Baker.
Used with the author’s permission. |
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A retired English teacher living in Palatine, Illinois, Rob has had poetry and prose published in a variety of online and print publications. He has been a member of the Second-Saturday Poetry Workshop for sixteen years and says he owes much of his poetic output and inspiration to that wonderful group.
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Lori Levy:
Great poem!
Posted 07/05/2026 12:14 PM
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rick636:
such a fun and readable poem! i'd have to say, satisfaction is adding to the list, futility getting up the mojo to be able to cross them off!
Posted 08/07/2011 04:39 PM
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karenpaulholmes:
yes, I can relate too. I like the way you tell on yourself, especially with the exercising. I have "organize desk" perpetually on my list. The 8-day hospice vigil begs for more information -- perhaps that's another poem?
Posted 07/08/2011 06:38 AM
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Rob:
@LindaC Thanks! I've felt that with many a poem--thinking I should have written it. Never been on the receiving end of the feeling though! :)
Posted 07/06/2011 08:07 PM
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LindaCrosfield:
Just rolled into motel after an 11 hour drive and found this, which I immediately read to my husband. Love it, even if it hits home all over the place and I'm wondering why I didn't write it!
Posted 07/05/2011 10:04 PM
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Rob:
Love that rule, loisflmom! Never heard it before, but I shall repeat it often :) Thanks!
Posted 07/05/2011 03:46 PM
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loisflmom:
There is a special place in heaven for those of us who do a task that is NOT on our list, write it down and immediately cross it off. Three of those forgive one holdover, I'm told!
Posted 07/05/2011 02:17 PM
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cmontana:
I so looked forward to reading your poem today. Yes! I had it on my calendar and now I can cross it off. I enjoyed it very much. Can't wait to read more!
Posted 07/05/2011 11:08 AM
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Gail Goepfert:
Rob, the way you weave the ordinary with the black shoes, hospice, and ashes, pushes the reader to put on the brakes just when it seems like a simple list of tasks! Nice!
Posted 07/05/2011 08:11 AM
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dotief@comcast.net:
The most powerful part to me was "bring ashes the cemetery." Wow! Such a solemn act included with such mundane activities--that was a strong, unexpected punch. Very nice!
Posted 07/05/2011 08:03 AM
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Eiken:
Rob,
I really like this poem, especially your determination to exercise which is something that is on the list daily but not YET scratched off. Good fun and something that resonates with so many. I like the "illusion of control" also, it makes sense. Thank you for an enjoyable poem today, Maire in Ireland.
Posted 07/05/2011 05:52 AM
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