She did not realize
she was in a nursing home.
Had been in one hospital,
thought she had been transferred to another.
A bit confusing, but she liked it.

“Amazing place,” she said.
“I walk around to the dining room, sit down,
and someone brings me a plate of food.
When I’m done, they pick it up and take it away.”

Then this mother who raised eight children
whispered conspiratorially,
“I haven’t washed a dish since I’ve been here,”
as though she might be found out
and have to take her turn.

She never did,
and everybody was happy.