-relative measurement-

all my young life

he did what he did.

she did what she did.

all my young life.

all my young life

I see them doing

I see them adjusting

driving up and wiping down

exchanging barbs

exchanging smiles

enhancing the daytime racket

enhancing the evening’s dynamic

all my young life.

all my young life

the music
is moved from room to room—

I hear her humming
in day-dress and apron
wiping the oilcloths
wiping her brow with the back of her hand.

I see him enter,
tie and fedora
trenchcoat and ledger
car keys and weariness
all my young life.

all my young life

at the pots of boiling water

where spaghetti
is broken with a powerful snap,—

pot after pot from the flaming stove
and the tub is filled;

once washed and the tub is drained
and filled again.
not all of my life,— but

all my young life.

not all of their lives,— but

all their young lives.

                            quequechan