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