carried

My watch grimaced with frustrated clicking
and the sun tried to warm the stale air, giving up quickly
a coffee pot dripped in agony across cold tile
as the world spilled out like intestines from the newsprint

A greasy green salve odorized the room with menthol
but my vacuum packed muscles wrestled under the skin
“The stocks are in the shitter, honey” was all I heard
a bowl of gray oat cereal stared up defiantly from the counter

The first footfall was light, turning a corner on the maple stairs
a squeak and a pause, then a soft clasp of the railing
pink hands slid down the wall followed by a chuckle and running
two more pairs of shoes bounded down, soft pads of hope

Unburdened steps cluttered the hallway, a buoyant din manifesting
six sneakers had never attempted a nobler task
careless and carefree they mounted an assault on the routine
likely unaware a monumental healing was riding upon each step