So tired tonight
day five of renovations
and aching limbs
skin tight
eyes closing
mind dozing
heavy head
really need a shower
must go to bed
perhaps another forty hours or so
the bathroom will be done.
The bathroom tiles we bought from Wickes
are not just tiles, nor any type of tile or bricks
that we have ever known
impervious to any threat
no hammer drill can drill them. Yet –
with muscled limb and diamond tip
he battles on, determined.
And gradually a little chip
of hope.
It still may be a rallied call
to get the shower rail up at all
The ceiling tiles are so much softer
than the tiles on the wall
I hope it holds there
At least until I’ve washed my hair.
Our mental maths is not like bygone days
when minds were sharp and sums were easy
now we measure more than twice
and ponder longer, cut it longer
just in case we got it wrong again.
I want the tools back in the box
and the box go to the junk yard in the sky
and next time there’s a chance for home improvement
We can remember this latest DIY:
the cost, the measuring, the cutting and the stress,
and be glad the tools have gone,
and be content without the aching muscles and the mess.