Dear Kitchen Cabinets: An Apology Poem

Dear Kitchen Cabinets,

I apologize for slamming

You so much in my 30s.

You were there and

You had a handle.

In a way you

Were asking for it.

But there were

One too many dirty plates

Left in the living room.

(What am I,

The maid?)

And there was

My desire to complete

One measly thought

Without interruption.

(What is “alone time”

Anyway?)

These are little things,

I know, but

These distractions,

These unintended discourtesies,

Are the big stuff of every mother’s life

And, sadly and simply,

They are not to be avoided.

Therefore,

I’m sorry

I took it out on you,

kitchen cabinets of 

Lightly stained maple.

You never broke down

To hang limp from a torn hinge. 

Well…

Except

For that one time.

–Marilyn Yung

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