before hand

you start
with the books
picking them
up from
the floor,
the tables,
the bathroom
one even
on the kitchen
counter.
van gogh's
letters. you
toss the dead
flowers
that droop
in a vase.
then you sweep,
you mop.
you spray
the mirrors
and the glass
you wipe.
you put a shine
on things,
a lemon
smell into
the air.
you shake a
throw rug
out onto
the porch.
you fluff a
pillow. you
change the sheets,
pour a glass
of wine.
then you wait.
but she's
always late,
so you still
have time.