four women

they are gum drops
of women
with mops and brooms,
buckets, quietly
happy in their light
blue smocks,
moving as one,
all four,
hair back
and up under kerchiefs,
or knotted
tight.
they are maids
speaking
in another language
removed
from another world,
happy
to be where they are.
exiting
the small car
to enter your home.
they remove the dust
from your shelves,
take away your spills,
put a shine
on your day, and you,
leaving cash in an
envelope, to pay.
in an hour they are
done and gone
until next time,
leaving
the key under the mat.