I'm told it's a chore

though it doesn't feel that way

at least to me

I get into a rhythm

find my flow

meditative

mindful yet mindless

soapy water and a sponge

cleaning the dishes, forks, spoons

the frying pan and glasses

this bother isn't burdensome

my reproductive labor

another form of digestion

as well as care, carefulness

slowly and methodically

I do what I am doing

while relaxing

in peace

I remember

my mother, grandmother, others

doing the dishes

it was their task

even without a taskmaster

I don't know what they thought of it

or even if they thought much about it

just as I don't think much

when I'm washing the dishes

though I remember them

feeling the peace

of generations

around the world

in the warm soapy water

By Dan Brook

From: United States

Website: http://about.me/danbrook

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/vegnik36