"What She Could Do" by Barbara Crumb

What She Could Do

(for Mom)

Toss hay bales. Shovel

Shit. Exterminate

Toadflax. Prioritize

scrubbing the toilet.

Soothe a frightened foal.

Pacify a weary husband.

Cradle an asthmatic daughter. Invest

in entrepreneurial sons. Share

her love of horses with thirty-eight years

of students.

Harmonize to “You Are My Sunshine”

in the truck with me.

Struggle to master “Space Invaders” for months—

Then quit.

Spit cherry seeds in competition—

And win.

Pray the “Our Father” over Dad—

And cry.

--Barbara Crumb

July 18, 2006

Thanks for Elizabeth Holmes for “What She Could Do”