Sally Van Doren

All, Free, Clear

I washed time and while the suds
floated like clouds

in the basement sink, the dirty water fled
through the drain's dark hole.

I thought I knew you once; things between us
were clean. Look at these stains.

I bleach, I soak, I agitate.
Twenty-two years spin by.

We're wrung dry, still soiled, half our lives
caught in the lint trap.

Fight

You ask me
to say yes
but not
one million
yesses will
fill your
well of nos.
I won't die
hauling you
out. Stay
down there
and see if
anyone
else can
draw up
that empty
bucket.
The rope
is taut
with its
weight.
Will we
cut it soon?

about