Rinse, Repeat

By Delilah Wells

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Dad has to quit eating meat,

mom has new breasts as of June.

All Kitty can do is sleep and sleep

on the white tufted couch in the living room.

Irrigate the drain with lye,

decompose the hair and grease.

Scrub away the mildew stains,

wash the soil from your feet.

Revel in this ceremony, in the baring

of your skin and soul. Take off your boots,

your socks, your soft October sweater.

Take the cold bath, you have no better option.

Originally published 12/09/15