Mistress Propoganda Poem by Ariel Kraitzick

She sweeps the floor-
with a broomstick
sweeps the dust from under our feet

but dustiness is the least of our problems
and the acrid aftertaste of smoke remains

She mops the tiles-
with her hands (veiled by dusty detergent)
removing the scarlet-tinged stains

but stains are the least of our problems
and the muddied footsteps of careless schoolboys remain

She boards the windows-
with wooden planks:
the court issued a restraining order on the prying sun

but the sun is the least of our problems
and the deceitful moon takes custody of the sky

She captures the stars-
with her tangled knot of yarn
threading them into the fabric
of the
carpet
of the end:

For careless schoolboys to stumble across
leaving muddied footprints
for her to clean.