In the Way

Poem by Lizzie Holden.

What are you doing here?

You are in the wrong place.

You should be filling the space

Between the sink and me when I want to rinse my mug.

You should be in front of that drawer

Whenever I need to open it,

Hips against it as you chop the veg.

And opening the dishwasher door

So I need to step over it to get to the fridge.

You should be filling the kettle

Just as I reach for it,

My hand suspended in the air.

You should be using the tea towel

So I end up drying my hands on your back.

You should not be tucked away,

Here under your tree.

Darling, you should always be in the way.