Today I'll have a quiet day, a day of peace and calm,
My ragged nerves deserve a rest, my soul deserves some calm.

But first I'll get the kids to school and pack their tasty lunches
I'll get my son's clean football gear and do my daughter's bunches.

From school I'll go out to the shops and buy some fish for tea.
Fingers for the little ones and cod for him and me.

And then I'll go home quietly, a coffee then perhaps.
But oops I've just remembered I'm out of food for cats.

I hurry back to buy the stuff and meet my teenage niece
She tells me of her problems but help I need my peace.

Eventually I get back home, the garden looks a mess
But first I clean the windows and mend my daughter's dress.

I clean the loo and other things and time is slipping by.
I do three loads of laundry and hang it out to dry.

The day has gone and now it's time to get the kids from school.
I take them home and feed the 'dears' "Fish fingers Mum - UNCOOL".

"Why can't we have some pizza Mum, followed by ice cream?"
I've got to grit my teeth and smile, otherwise I'd scream.

My darling husband comes home then and sits down in a heap
Puts on the telly, reads "The Times" and promptly falls asleep.

I wash the dishes, bath the kids, and tidy up the house
I feed the cats and bless their hearts they've brought me in a mouse.

The kids are now at last in bed and I am tired out.
Then husband surfaces and says "Any tea about?"

Tomorrow is another day and I know I can cope
I'll have a quiet day quite soon. I live in constant hope.

Audrey Miles