Hand Wash Only
Words By Samira Estes-Garcia, Art By Hailey Renee Brown
Left forgotten in the washing machine
A lone sock without its twin
You careless human, you
Under the guise of responsibility
You put me through the wringer so callously
My other half languishes under your bed
Neither of us yours to clean
And yet!
Stripped without warning
Me and my sister, mourning
Our owner true
Who slept in your bed till noon
Maybe it’s at her I should be mad
When she left so soon still scantily clad
But it’s you who didn’t stop her
Instead raised your voice—encouraged her
Roused her with an angry shout,
“My wife will be home soon, get out, get out!”
So I tumble in your washing machine,
Jostling between boxer shorts and lacy briefs
My sockish threads unravel
No longer will I travel
Helpless as you dispose
My sister into the trash
As though it’s where she rightfully goes