While Mother Cooks (poem and prompt)

(Slightly edited version) 

"Write a descriptive poem, keeping yourself out of it."

 
The first title for this was, "Children in Winter." But what parenting magazine would publish this? The mother is not around, and is apparently neglectful! It was rejected by "Welcome Home" and so I have finally re-titled it. Try this theme out for yourself.

Coats, boots, and mittens strewn on the floor

Hide and seek and giggles under the stairs

Block towers crashing to the floor

Furniture without cushions

Shrieks and flumping sounds behind the couch

Chairs dragged across the kitchen

Refrigerator doors opening and closing

Rustling plastic, toaster popping

Paths of crumbs as in Hansel and Gretel

Tea set abandoned on a stool

Curtains twisted around strange bulges

Heaps of sheets and dress-up clothes

on the playroom floor

Blanket trains sliding through doorways

Two-legged horses hitched to jump ropes and giddyaps

Doors flung open and icy drafts whistling through

All the lights and heaters on