The groceries are away,
four bananas cradled
in the fruit bowl.

Dahlias and Hollyhocks
float in great white bowls
like knees in a bath.

Curved cherry backs dusted,
TVs polished, shine.

If he does come home at
one, two, three, four
he will turn on the TV,
or skulk to their room.

Still, the flowers float,
the cabinets shine and reek
of aerosol lemons.

First published in revised for New Leaf 24 , 2008.