NOTHING ELSE: The Silent Back Bone

 

We were always there

At the beck and call

Of them and their children,

To serve them their delicacies

When they wished,

To wash their beddings

When they felt like

And to open their gates whenever they were entering

Or getting out.

They never entertained our being in sight

Unless the guests wanted to be served,

When the toddler was crying ad needed to be carried

Or when they were to travel

And needed their luggage carried to their cars.

They never recognized our importance

For we were only “house helpers”.

Nothing else.

 

We always slept late

Because we could not sleep

Before our masters did.

We always ate late

Because we could not eat

Before the “lords of the house” did

Yet we always woke so early

Because they needed to find the house clean,

Breakfast prepared

And everything set.

But they never valued our resilience still.

For we were just “house helpers”.

Nothing else.

 

Are we valued anyway?

When they take break-offs from their work,

They don’t remember that we too need so.

They don’t want to know whether we got kids or not.

They think we can never get sick.

If you get sick, then who will cook, mop, and do everything

We are just not allowed to rest.

For we are just “house helpers”.

Nothing else

WHAT IS ALL OVER ME