Some Things They Taught Me - Day 26 - Sara Dowse

The first was Mary,

she said if you have

too much to carry

then slough off what’s easy,

your mind will be clear then

to climb any looming mountain.

She was talking about homework

but down through the years

I have found wisdom there

for just about anything.

Then there was Hilary

who showed me how to roll

my clothes up when I pack

so there’s never a big bag to lug.

Peggy taught me a trick

about baking soda

to clear up lingering infection;

Jane used it to clean her teeth,

another friend used salt,

and long ago a boyfriend of mine

taught me how to pop the clutch in second,

and bend a coat hanger

to unlock a car door.

Lyndall taught me the hem stitch,

Jess how to stack dirty cutlery in a glass.

My mother said: iron the collar and sleeves first,

Jackie showed me how to paint a face,

Richard to use iced tea bags 

to rid me of puffy eyes.