Serena Malcolm

Has this top shrunk?
Or am I getting fatter?
(We both know the answer,
but what does it matter?)

My children have toys
and food and clothes,
So who cares if my jeans
are all covered in holes?

And yes my hair’s messy,
What’s a brush? I forget…
At least the stray birds
will have somewhere to nest.

My nails are all split,
They’ve been naked for months;
My polish has gone hard
and my file’s at the dump.

I’m never alone,
But who needs five minutes peace
when you have
constant,
incessant
NOISE
that won’t cease?

Do lunch?
Yes I’d love to,
I’ll pencil you in,
How’s January 10th 3010?

But although I complain
– And at times I despair –
They are worth every wrinkle
and every grey hair.