Michelle Smith

Until the Last Minute

To be a day late

And an hour behind

Means to yourself

You are not very kind

 Procrastination 

Is the devil in disguise

Because indeed to yourself

You do lie.

Do you burn the midnight oil

At the last hour?

Running out of that ignited energy

that has zapped your power?

That syllabus was passed out

Three weeks ago

12 a.m. is now 2 and your paper is due by 8.

How tough is the toil?

I can do this you say to yourself!

With pen and paper in hand

Week two is like the sludge of quicksand

Tonight is the the day before 

your class assignment

It should had been done

Oh procrastination you are the devil in disguise

Because indeed to yourself

You do lie

It's too late to turn back now

A deeper and wider hole 

you dug up somehow

Procrastination is a stronghold

 I do declare

Like a panty hose run in need of nail polish repair,

Time and nylons

 wait for no one

Tick tock goes the clock

And the holes are wider

Especially at the last hour

And that is no fun.

The Have and Have Nots

Paying the landlords mortgage

My hard earned money is rent

The 1st and 15th

Outstretched and barely enough

To save and pay myself 10 %

At the last hour

I'm asked if I can work a half shift 

Instead of eight, 

I'm at work for 12 hours

Tiredly I stagger home 

and open my 

Apartment front door

The fresh smell of paint lingers

Of red, white, and red all over

The fourplex resembles newsprint

And Elizabeth Arden's perfume,

 "Red Door"

The have and have nots

Are the hustle and bustle of workers

Of 6 am to 2 pm.

She's the essential worker

That stands 90 to 95 % on her feet

And provides service with a smile

At times beyond the last hour

"Good morning". 

"How are you today?"

A resident's average age is 85

About 20 minutes to provide care

Whoever stated that fact told a lie.

I  believe in a pristine and clean body

As if a motor chassis put together and done.

At the last hour of charting 

it's required three times 

per shift 

on my 12-15 resident caseload

The have and have nots 

I am their CNA

2 10 minute breaks

1 30 minute lunch

Uniformed in SSL gear

My ankles and feet 

are swollen and inflamed

As if hit by a puglists' punch

The have and have nots

I heal with a smile

And encouraging word

A meal,

A silver plated teapot

With ♥️, patience, and drive

Their eyes are the windows of their souls

The have and have nots

Are treated 

with dignity, comfort, and care

Uncertainty lingers

Will COVID 19 provide the last hour

Of sick and elderly residents

During these chaotic 

and 

isolating  times?