What's It Worth? Poem by Grace Diane Jessen

While driving home from work,
a mother gets a call.
Her twelve-year old reports
a problem, not too small.

The younger son is sick
and he threw up, poor kid.
'He made it to the bathroom? '
'The second time, he did.'

'I'll pay you, ' Mother says,
'If you'll clean up the mess.'
But when she reaches home,
her bribe was no success.

The floor has not been touched.
This should be no surprise
for some unpleasant tasks
no sum of money buys.