She takes off her suit and her high-heeled shoes
A clever diguise
And steps into the shower
To wash away the worries of the preceding week.
She sighs, as she watches the stresses of
Missed deadlines and unkept promises
Roll off her shoulders
And disappear down the drain
If only they would stay there forever
But she knows they will reappear again like magic
On Monday morning
Since these worries are in the thread
That is used to sew together
The clothes of the working woman,
And always accompany a business wardrobe.
She feels it is a conspiracy.
She stays in the shower a little longer than usual
To ensure no residue is left behind
To clutter up the two days ahead.
The invisible threads of the business suit
Must be washed off
To make room for the new ones
That will begin to settle upon her
When she steps out of the running water
And into her faded blue jeans.
Although she must suck in her stomach
To button up her 501's
She feels ten pounds lighter,
But, come Monday, she knows
The blue jeans will again
Be too tight
And her business suit will feel like comfort
When she steps out of her six a.m. shower
To wash away the worries
Sewn into the blue jeans.
She ponders on this phenomena
And the miracle of the shower
That washes away cares
And makes the world lighter,
If only for a moment.
Again and again the hot water
Has washed away the pain
As it used to wash away the shame
The child carried,
And she felt lighter,
As she watched his semen
Roll off of her body
And disappear down the drain.
