I cleaned

the kitchen

like you asked

dear, plate

under hot water

with a dish

rag down

did you hear

the faucet turn

or see through

that mirror over

your shoulder in

the living room

I know now

to wait until

you leave

to make a call—

out of earshot

I cleaned

the floor with

vinegar and

white wine,

drooping down

waving in circles

at the Earth

I sang loud

tones to the wood

soul tunes

backing up

Betty Everett

in early afternoon

did you hear my

harmony of you

and I and after

I decided

you didn’t

need to hear me

anymore so

I froze us

the arm, the liver

all stuck

in a freezer but

spattered on the

floor I cleaned

the kitchen

like you asked dear,

crunching your

frozen ear

under my foot