Staring at the dishes in the sink
The kitchen is a war zone.
You have worked all day
You didn’t mind that part.
But staring at that pile of dirty dishes
The ones piled up next to the sink
And full stomach from a well shared meal.
And tired feet,
Who’s gonna clean up this mess?
Don’t want to wake up and face THIS in the morning.
Better to tackle it now.
Laughter and music float in from the next room.
Sparkling. How you long to be there in that warmth
And sit at the teachers feet.
Long to feel the smiles and embrace 
Of folks you know and love.
To sit with them for a time and appreciate.
But the pile of dishes and the dread of what it will be like in the morning.
He peeks his head in.
“Come join us. Come rest. You have worked all day for us”
But who will clean up this mess?
“You could help me.
You could roll up your sleeves,
Scrape the remnants of the meal into the trash.
The little bits of meat, the thick gravy, the scarlet of berries.
We could get it done in half the time”
“Don’t be so sour. Come join your sister who is singing in the next room.”
He does not understand.