Washday

Linens lie over a clothes horse,
steaming by the coal fire,
hankies like wet flags
drape a wooden arm,
a tabby sits, paw raised
swots the hankies.
And into the mix flies the dog
mouth slobbering over a dropped sock,
its owner roaring obscenities behind it.
The mutt skids across the stone floor
rucking the mat under the horse,
and the cat scampers and yowls
as the owner clatters, foot catching
on the skewed mat, body twirling,
arms windmilling, legs sliding,
upending the clothes horse,
scattering linens and hankies.
The aroma of damp and singed cotton
hits her before the flames take hold.