Dark and Light

Like a chipmunk dead on the doormat
    with its spine bit clean in two,
Like a slab of spam in the inbox,
    "Teen Sluts Are Hot For You!"
Like a wad of gum that detains me
    underfoot at the local mall,
My teenage children's dirty laundry
    waits out in the hall.

Light and dark, all of it foul:
Underwear, socks, and sweatpants,
    a mildewing towel,
That I wash, dry, fold, and store...
By the time I'm done
    they'll leave me some more of their
Dark and light, light and dark.