caretaking

it's dawn.
the dog needs to be walked
the coffee pot needs washing for the new brew
Bella waits impatiently for me to feed her
and Stephen waits patiently for his coffee,
his yogurt, granola and fruit,
for me to sit down.
Work awaits me
and once home, dinner needs to be cooked,
my flute calls to me,
Stephen needs me to get more ice for his foot,
and would I get his book, his phone, can I move the TV
and dishes are undone and the laundry is unfolded,
the flute got five minutes
the dog needs to be walked
it's late
I'm exhausted
it's dark
at dawn the dog will need to be walked
again.