i hear the key in the door

sitting at the desk my attention is not so rapt

i do not realize time or the familiarity

of her coming home

it closes and the footsteps start upstairs

that would be her placing her purse

upon the table at the landing

i follow the steps in the room above

there go her clothes

she is changing into her home workaday

now brushing out her hair

she moves into the bathroom

freshen her makeup

i hear her call down

that is so sweet, i love you

that would be the occasional lavender rose

i leave in there at times

my mother's favorite color was lavender

life is kind of like that, sometimes two for one

here are the footfalls

down the stairs, she descends

the door is opened. she disappears

maybe it is something in the car

an occasional exchange with a neighbor

might be why she runs at times behind

matters not, the door reopens

wait, something might be amiss

in the living room, one never knows

here it comes up from behind

hands upon my shoulders

a light kiss to the top of the head

followed by another on the cheek

a sweet i love you delivered to the ear

and she disappears into the kitchen

i am never asked what i want for dinner

that was settled by her probably

before she made breakfast this morning
altho in the realms of possibility, last year

maybe you are one of those men

who questions this list

saying why were you not first

and i would tell you that such ignorance

fails to see that being on such a list

shows devotion you will never understand

what you should know is the fact

she never has to call me twice

to the dinner table

proves my enthusiasm for the list most precious

her accomplishments

and that would be above your paygrade 
maybe why being first on your woman's list
has kept her from the accomplishments
she deserved to achieve in life

2/3/19