the laundry that takes
twice as long
because everything is inside out

the dishes that are
crusty with food
because nothing has been rinsed

the messes that appear,
inexplicably,
on every surface, every day

the endless clutter
of things that have a home
but can never find their way

the careful shopping
and poring over options
to save the most on needs

breakfast, lunch, and dinner;
morning and bedtime routines

bus stop twice a day,
supervising outdoor play

checking temps and giving meds,
cleaning vomit from floors and beds

fixing what needs fixed,
solving problems that exist
and preventing countless others
through hyper-vigilance

anticipating the needs of six
and managing a team of four
who seem intent to operate
in near-constant discord

one unofficially designated
executive functioner,
head of thinking and doing and being,
first of her name
and first one to blame

but then you say i don’t have a job,
so tell me – who is doing it all?