Labor Day

Holiday to shun work;
kids re-christen summer,
wife drops usual chores,
I evade car pool duties.

As usual, my alarm sounds at 6am
the coffee maker perks at 6:15am
my body flings away the covers
I watch the Today show while shaving
fetch the newspaper, quickly scan the headlines
but wait, I have more time, maybe not,
the dog sticks to his normal morning schedule;
I speed to the door, acceding to his bladder.

No fancy holiday breakfast awaits in the kitchen
so, I just grab an egg, poach it, down some juice.
My family sleeps on through the holiday mirage;
my engine is in overdrive
where to go; what to do?
No parades, pageants on this vapid day
no arriving relatives to relieve the boredom.

Maybe, I'll wash the car-
nah, that is a weekend ritual.
Perhaps, I will canvas Pro Bass Shop-
nah, the drive is further than work.

I will stay at home, be useful;
finish trimming the bedroom shutters
Oh no, I am out of that flossy white paint,
and didn't my wife need the car
for her annual holiday shopping spree?

I could re-mow the lawn,
give it a manicured look. But no,
to labor on Labor day is foolish.
I will curl up in front of the TV
finish watching the Today show,
content with the notion
that I am paid to while away the day