Gardening Methods

The toothpaste tube squashed in the middle,
and the cap no-where in sight.
On the bathroom floor, a pair of boxer shorts
left festering over-night.
Hair in the shower plug-hole
a crumpled towel behind the door,
a magazine of dubious taste
left on the parquet floor.
Shaving foam on the bathroom mirror,
a distinct smell of dirty socks,
a pair of frayed jeans (with belt still in)
hanging out of the linen box.

How on earth can I still stand all this?
Let the medal ceremony be soon.
I’ve suffered this for 35 years
from the day of our honeymoon.

I go down to the kitchen
to have coffee and a piece of toast.
And there on the worktop
in a jar
is a single rose. And a note.
“Saw this rose in the garden
with dew on its petals of silk.
It reminded me of you. So I picked it…..

By the way, I’ve used the last drop of milk”