So many years have gone by,
and still, she does the laundry
and holds the broom,
the washing machine hums
as yesterday's dirt spins
she whisks the week's remnants
out of the door into the sun--
the towel on which she wipes her face
cannot remember her name.

The ignition switch in my ankle
has been without a key for several days,
but that hasn't stopped other engines
from idling all through the night.