A Dedication

To the women who wash my clothes and make my food

For keeping me clothed and fed I am ever indebted to you

With the rice and beans

hot chocolate and chicken

you keep my tummy full

and my lips I’m a-lickin’.

Piles of clothes

By hand you wash

Like jeans and dresses

And underwear and such

The smells from the kitchen

Waft to my nose

The warmth of the soup

Goes down to my toes

Clean garments hang out

Drying in the sun

Wringing out water

By hand can’t be fun

My white clothes are whiter

The holes are much bigger

My friends say I’m fatter

And I say, go figure

With the food I am given

And the clothes I get cleaned

I am well taken care of

Even better than it seemed

So a big thanks goes out

to Yolette and Marlene

For keeping me clean

But not very thin

With love and respect

I write this for you

In hopes that it brings

Much joy to you too