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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
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Disasters, Delights and Other Detours - 68. Simplicity

Meditations on chores while in social isolation.

Simplicity

 

How does my cleaning this pot

please the order of things?

Does the act of making

its stainless steel spotless,

scrubbing faithfully,

align the stars?

When I restore the shine to its copper bottom,

and hang it with its gleaming peers,

do the spheres sing in greater harmony?

Yet it is in simple chores,

mopping the kitchen floor

or making lunch, perhaps,

that with Copernican clarity I recall

no suns, no galaxies revolve around me,

but that my orbit runs

around you.


If you have a comment or a cavil, don't hesitate to leave it here.
Copyright © 2017 Parker Owens; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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  • Site Administrator

Chores give us a sense of purpose and normalcy, especially in a world turned upside down. Nicely done. :) 

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I find doing the dishes meditative. I do a lot of thinking as I putter around the kitchen cleaning up. A great poem, Parker. :) 

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it is rare that i wash dishes ... i cook, so Michael usually does the dishes. But i do get in there to do them or clean. i don't know, it feels like there is order inside me, when the kitchen and house are tidy.  Thanks for the thoughtful poem.  xo

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1 hour ago, Mikiesboy said:

it is rare that i wash dishes ... i cook, so Michael usually does the dishes. But i do get in there to do them or clean. i don't know, it feels like there is order inside me, when the kitchen and house are tidy.  Thanks for the thoughtful poem.  xo

These days seem ordered by the chores which delineate the days. Lately, I have felt something more than myself in sweeping, cleaning and washing. Thanks for reading this one. xxoo

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10 hours ago, Headstall said:

I find doing the dishes meditative. I do a lot of thinking as I putter around the kitchen cleaning up. A great poem, Parker. :) 

Sometimes I zone out doing chores. Sometimes I sing or whistle doing dishes. Lately, I’ve felt more thoughtful and, as you say, meditative. Thank you for reading!

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11 hours ago, Valkyrie said:

Chores give us a sense of purpose and normalcy, especially in a world turned upside down. Nicely done. :) 

You’re right that chores seem to ground me to important realities in a world which seems unreal. Thanks for reading this. 

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Chores don't set the world on fire but they can comfort, give purpose to the day, and allow time for unstructured thought. All these things are important. As are you, and all of us.  ❤️ 

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The simple day in day out nature of chores provides a touch of the mundane to a world otherwise out of synch. Thank you for your words.

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4 hours ago, northie said:

Chores don't set the world on fire but they can comfort, give purpose to the day, and allow time for unstructured thought. All these things are important. As are you, and all of us.  ❤️ 

Thank you for reading this. Our chores can be both internally useful and externally important. I feel best when the mind is not focused on the self.

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1 hour ago, dughlas said:

The simple day in day out nature of chores provides a touch of the mundane to a world otherwise out of synch. Thank you for your words.

You’re right: the simple act of sweeping a floor lets me be present to the real world and less connected to a future universe of anxiety. Thank you! 

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Awww. I am taking a leap here and using my own definition of 'you' (as in...'but that my orbit runs around you').

I have always felt a difference doing chores that are just mine, and doing the ones that benefit myself and my special someone. There's a certain sweet quality in the latter that is lacking in just looking after my own clutter.

There is order in maintaining the accoutrements of our daily lives, and a certain joy in knowing that it's not just our own days that are getting shinier. 🙂

 

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On 5/14/2020 at 6:04 PM, Geron Kees said:

Awww. I am taking a leap here and using my own definition of 'you' (as in...'but that my orbit runs around you').

I have always felt a difference doing chores that are just mine, and doing the ones that benefit myself and my special someone. There's a certain sweet quality in the latter that is lacking in just looking after my own clutter.

There is order in maintaining the accoutrements of our daily lives, and a certain joy in knowing that it's not just our own days that are getting shinier. 🙂

 

You’re right about the difference in categories of chores, I agree. It’s much more internally satisfying to work at chores which benefit one’s beloved, or even a broader group of others. 

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