Lesley Valdes

 
 

ATTEND

I watch the daffodils gone crisp
and pulpy where once green.
The sink unfilled.

The toaster on the counter
with the oil, the bread.
The bag of peanuts

for the squirrels. A prayer:
the block of knives,
the cutting board, the pitcher

for the wooden spoons,
the one for metal things,
the scrapers, whisks, the water jug.

Brush, sponge and liquid
soap. They wait
on me.