What if…for Women

What if…
I skipped all my meds,
Didn’t take my vitamins,
Or put sun block on my skin?

What if…
I didn’t use cleanser,
Forgot to brush my teeth,
And gargled with gin?

Would the sun fail to rise?
Would the world come to an end?


What if…
I didn’t make the bed,
Or change the sheets and towels
For weeks on end?

What if…
The refrigerator got moldy,
Or dust bunnies peeked out
From under the bed?

Would the sky fall?
Would someone drop dead?


What if…
I had Boston cream pie for breakfast
And candy for lunch
And failed to eat a balanced dinner?

What if…
I skipped breakfast
And ate two lunches,
Threw out the leftovers, and dined at Gibraltar?

Would I be unhealthy?
Would I begin to falter?


What if…
I forgot to send a birthday card
In a timely manner
To every family member and friend?

What if I didn’t shop for Christmas
Or get ready for the fall?
What if I never went to the mall?

Would anyone notice?
Would the police come to call?


What if…
I left the carrots in the dirt
And the squash on the vine,
And threw out the cukes?

What if…
I didn’t can the tomatoes,
Or pickle the beets,
Or pick the beans?

Would we all starve?
Would it cause a scene?


What if…
I cheated on my golf score
Or failed to pay a bill
And acted irresponsibly?

What if…
I wasn’t perfect or even good?
What if I played hooky
Or wasn’t understood?

Would I be put down?
Would I be run out of town?


What if…
I arrived late to class,
Didn’t follow my syllabus,
Or read the assignment?

What if…
I threw the essays on the stairs
To determine grades
Instead of evaluating them with great care?

Would the students rebel?
Would the Dean call me in?


What if…
I didn’t call my parents
Or invite my friends
Or check on my kids?

What if…
I sat on my sofa and read a good book
While sipping wine
And forgetting to cook?

Would my family disown me?
Would I lose all my friends?
Would anyone notice? Would anyone care?

Probably not.

8/27/05