Whatsup?

Who wants to be connected anyway?

When you get a Whatsapp

from your daughter

It’s always about

what you can do for her.

You think this is a universal

problem. At least you hope it is.

Today the request is for

anti-histamines and tampons,

To bring along when you meet her for lunch.

The mind grapples.

First of all- is there a connection

between menstrual periods

and the release of histamine?

Or could the Gods have conspired

to deliver two blows in one swoop?

And anyway, didn’t she pass a pharmacy

on her way to work?

And didn’t she know

that blood spill was imminent,

given that it flows in cycles,

more or less moon driven?

Whatever about anti-histamines,

You are well into your hag phase,

Though you think a packet of

her tampons may have slipped

behind the bathroom cabinet.

Removing shelves, you line up

an array of not-your-products.

(She doesn’t live there anymore, by the way)

2-in-1 nail varnish remover?

Hair touch up?

Derma spa summer revived?

You dip a ladle behind the cupboard

in the hope of scooping up tampons,

but drop the spoon instead!

So now you have to find

a hardware store and a pharmacy

on your way to meeting her for lunch.

Or you could simply slip your phone

behind the bathroom cabinet.

Copyright with Cathy Leonard 2018