I was astonished that in the earthweek
issue of this publication one of the tips
was headlined put it all on the line then
breathed nary a word about hanging wash
outside the only energy used is yours
of course those who live in la-de-dah
neighborhoods are forbidden we don’t
want to offend anybody by seeing our
underwear but have you ever slept
between sun-dried sheets or washed
with a windfluffed towel? while I’m
ranting most folk really don’t need to
change completely every day don’t
need to shower either unless you’re
a butcher or such as a kid my mom
running clothes through the maytag
wringer I chucked my school duds
every afternoon pulled on my jeans
rode and curried my horse those jeans
weren’t washed till they stood alone
studies now cite the too sterile child
let them play in the dirt farm kids
have stronger immune systems kids
who daily walk through the barn rank
highest of all and you know what would
prevent our spending millions on another
lake and save those wild lands oh what a
radical idea how repulsive but you don’t
need to flush the pot every time you pee

© 2010 Jacqueline Jackson