The Early Years
By Rosanna Jimenez
Up at 4am to scrape
Ice off the car to
Punch in on time
Do what is ugly
What is necessary
What is unthanked
There is laundry and
There is food to cook
And there are holes
Needing repair and hair
Needing detangling
Requiring a hand on
The head of a child
Stiff brush and soft touch
Injuries disregarded
Hands cracking, feet
Aching, backs breaking
Mouths yawning, eyes
Twitching for a break
Legs kneeling and
Fingers pressed for God
Tongue pleading for a
Break. Body in a coat
And gloves under sheets
Up at 4am to scrape