Who Thanks the Dishwasher? Sept. 6, 2025

everyone compliments the chef

who made the baked ziti in the

glass dish that someone must

scrape free of crusty cheese and

baked sauce, soak in water

before a soaped sponge

creates spotless perfection

they toast the marvelous wine

someone brought, in glasses held

high, which must be hand-cleaned,

dutifully dried, perfectly staged

and as they stand and start

to move towards the door

everybody praises everyone’s

contribution to the evening

as one of them hangs back and

slips into the shadows of the kitchen

flicks on the light to the sound

of receding laughter

maybe it won’t be so bad tonight

I think to myself