I want to thank the person responsible for the new washers.
It is not like the old ones were broken
Because I bet they were loaded with a favor to one side
And the redistribution as you know
In rugby is that once the man with the ball
Is captured, a heap is formed.
But, I don’t know,
I have never really had a relationship
With the washers.
I did, however, put the coins in first
And then let the water fill,
Followed with detergent,
Let it churn a bit before
I put the clothes.
My aunt taught me
“To dilute the detergent.”
Now, you start with the detergent,
Then the clothes,
Then the quarters,
Kind of like getting your money’s worth
At the beginning.
I like how it is a bowl
And the holes don’t start until a quarter
Up the inside so it seems like
The water fills and the clothes are
Kept in a container so that
They both soak and get churned.
It is a rich process.
In the beginning
There is silence, then
The lockdown.
I like all the colored buttons and lights.
I like the white porcelain.
It all seems so robotic
And I have grown to like that.
That and dishes,
They are like the last things
We have to do
Before everything becomes
Automatic.
I am not even worried about the rain
Or viruses, or wars
Because we live in a laundry room,
Where we have a sofa,
A bookshelf, and a
Garden outside.
Maybe we should install a shower
And a kitchen.
Like I said, however,
Once we figure out how to do the laundry
Without actually having to do it,
Which is actually like doing the dishes
In a dishwasher,
What’s left? – Mario Savioni
Musings 
I would like to say I love your blog and the wonderful and beautiful things you share as well as the inspiration and smiles you bring in doing so! Thank you for being you and I hope even if you do not accept awards you will accept the sentiment expressed as I honor you with one. There is no prize that comes with the award other than my appreciation and being grateful you are part of our world and making a difference by sharing in such a positive way…
I have posted the award and link to it here I hope you will accept it or at least the sentiment behind it! http://artisticlyxpressedthoughts.wordpress.com/2014/03/27/awards-and-shared-gifts/
With love,
Joe
Yes, I accept the award because of the sentiment. You are very kind. I am glad that I come across as positive and that you think that I say wonderful and beautiful things. Back at you. Thank you very much Mr. Bradshaw.
One of the ones I have most enjoyed here. Made me smile, the beguilingly simple start (pun intended) and the mix of concrete and abstract:
” bet they were loaded with a favor to one side
And the redistribution as you know”
I like the colloquial talk.
Poem grows more serious.
Love your pun and I am flattered this was one of the poems you most enjoyed. I like that it made you smile. You shared with my joy in receiving it from the muse.
Love that you like my work and thank you for noting where it sings. I really like the rugby player metaphor and what you noted as someone always putting the laundry on one side, so of course when it spins it throws the whole machine off. Imagine trying to hold something that is centrifugally inequitable? The machine turns itself off and then the person blames the machine?
The poem is a bit tongue in cheek. I was smiling the whole time. I wondered how all four washers broke down at the same time? And where they put old washers? The poem is about change and responsibility. I marvel at the technology and stratagems. Even now, when I look into the bottom of the washer I wonder where the water goes since the holes are above the bottom. I guess when it spins it sends the water out and away from the bottom.
All the new washers are Maytag. As a graphic designer and advertising-conscious person, I marvel at the name brand, where those commercials of the older man with his basset hound sitting around waiting for calls to fix the machines kind of made the machines spiritual. They also hint at machines taking over for people as Marx has written in Capital, but of course the old guy is still getting paid to sit. Could these machines be better than the Kenmore washers before them?
The poem is also about what we really need and how close we all are. Everyone has to do laundry or would you want someone having to wash your intimate apparel?
Thank you for your feedback. I cherish the interaction.
Interesting poem, well written and original. It is reflective, deep in meaning and makes you see things from a totally unexpected perspective.