Blind Schedule

Laundry drumming inside a machine
belligerent, clinging to dirt deep in threads,
endures cycles of soapy, dizzy, spin prodding,
until timer kills the switch on the carnival ride.

Automatic necessity sorts, color codes,
regulates wash and dry without contemplating
tea stained reunions, chocolate ice cream
on white, sugar coated “this old thing”,
earthy cologne scents, or a lover's lipstick. 

Time does what it does, past and future
share same digital blinks, a conundrum unnoticed,
blind schedule only hears frenzy.


©Susie Clevenger 2015

NaPoWriMo ~ Day 4

Izy at Real Toads challenged us with Gertrude Stein. Here is my laundry/Ms. Stein inspired effort.

Caution: Tender Buttons

Comments

De Jackson (WhimsyGizmo) said…
Love this! :) Especially considering your blog moniker. Delightful!
April 4, 2015 at 1:06 PM
hedgewitch said…
The machine is completely unconcerned with what passes through it, or why. I like the way your ending just sort of sits up and stares at the reader.
April 4, 2015 at 1:07 PM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Your laundry sounds a lot more interesting than mine. LOL. I enjoyed this read.........I love the leap from laundry to "time does what it does".
April 4, 2015 at 1:08 PM
Marian said…
Oh, that old thing! :)
April 4, 2015 at 1:23 PM
Sanaa Rizvi said…
This is so interesting! Never knew laundry could be so worthwhile.. well love the images and absolutely adore the poem as a whole!! Bravo :D
xoxo
April 4, 2015 at 1:43 PM
Kerry O'Connor said…
Amazing thoughts in a spin cycle here, Susie.
April 4, 2015 at 2:16 PM
Anonymous said…
As the towels reach the spin cycle and the dryer buzzes to let me know that folding must be done...I definitely enjoyed your poem :)
April 4, 2015 at 2:23 PM
Debi Swim said…
Time does what it does... ain't it the truth. Love that you said this with laundry of all things.
April 4, 2015 at 5:50 PM
Rosemary Nissen-Wade said…
Good heavens, you really ARE a Laundry Goddess! Wonderful to turn the mundane into such a vivid piece. :)
April 4, 2015 at 6:11 PM
Other Mary said…
And you are goddess of the laundry!
April 4, 2015 at 6:45 PM
Outlawyer said…
Wonderful close here, especially Susie--our schedule does not understand all the tugs--nor does the washing machine even as it tugs. Thanks. k. (Manicddaily)
April 4, 2015 at 6:54 PM
Isadora Gruye said…
What bravado here...I like the space you chose to explore (though I should have known you'd delve into the laundry room :)) . You added so much depth, in particular, "Automatic necessity sorts, color codes,
regulates wash and dry without contemplating
tea stained reunions, "

there are many a layer here! Thanks for posting to my April prompt.
April 4, 2015 at 8:01 PM
Jim said…
Liking it, Susie. This is an excellent place for a robot to plug into.
I had one call me today to ask me questions about an experience I had last night with United Airlines. It was a smart one, related to a smart phone, it asked questions based on my previous answers.
..
April 4, 2015 at 11:55 PM
Hannah said…
This is potent, Susie! I like how you get into the nitty-gritty of what's clinging in the laundry.
April 5, 2015 at 6:18 AM
Helen said…
You managed to bring laundry to life, stains and all! Great write, Susie!
April 5, 2015 at 12:50 PM
Sharp Little Pencil said…
Great subject, Susie. The line about sugar-coated "this old thing," you toss it off there like you'd toss "this old thing" into the washing. So it makes perfect sense. A small detail, but invaluable in looking at your approach to Stein. Thanks, hon. Amy
April 5, 2015 at 4:58 PM
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