It Is the Staple of Every Single Parent

By Mickie Lynn

My mother works methodically.
She gathers pale paper
from the piles
and staples each packet together.

swish, swish, swish, swish
clack it
swish, swish, swish, swish
clack it

She prepares for her meeting
at the kitchen table
after the dinner plates have been washed
as she asks us about our day.

swish, swish, swish, swish
How was school?clack it
swish, swish, swish, swish
Oh? Tell me more?clack it

My siblings talk of tests
and friends and the pompous teachings
of Mrs. Peters.

swish, swish, swish, swish
clack it

I am mesmerized by the rhythms.

swish, swish, swish, swish
clack it

The staples of thin metal
holding all of that work together.

swish, swish, swish, swish
clack it

My mother’s work:
the meetingsthe dishes
the reportsthe children

swish, swish, swish, swish
clack it

My mother’s mettle
holding us all together.

clack it