Why?

by Cheryl Merrick

Frenzied and overwhelmed
the women bemoan their life.
There is so much to do
and so little time:
Quilts to make, errands to run,
garden to tend, food to cook,
appointments to keep,
children to run places.

Bragging of their busyness
they unequivocally declare,
“There simply isn’t enough time!”
All heads nod in agreement,
all except one.


Naively she utters one question, “Why?
Why are you trying to do so much?”
For a stunned moment
the women stare at her,
then in a rush the chatter resumes,
reassuring each other
of the necessity,
and even nobility,
of their frenzied life.