Let The Laundry Lie
A poem for mamas, inspired by Emily Ley
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Sweet mama, sometimes it’s ok to let the laundry lie.
It’s ok to let the laundry lie because you’re still trying
to make dinner, and
bathe the babies, and
read stories, and
play with stacking cups and puzzles, and
find time for a walk around the block.
It’s ok to let the laundry lie because you need to
write thank you cards, and
answer ten emails, and
mop up the breakfast that’s over the floor, and
somehow find time to go grocery shopping.
It’s ok to let the laundry lie because you are trying
to be a mother to your children and
a wife or partner to your spouse and
show up for your parents and
your best friends and
your siblings and
the colleagues that are depending on you.
Sweet mama, sometimes it’s ok to let the laundry lie.
Sometimes, you still have to shower and
you still have more to write and
you want to play with your little ones a little longer
and talk with your own mama for ten more minutes.
Sweet mama, you are a human, and
not a machine,
with a beautiful,
and messy,
busy life — and sometimes,
it’s more important to care for your heart and
for your people.
Sometimes, you have to let the laundry lie.
