Toxic Boxes

A Poem by Catherine Hollingsworth

A house is not just what it seems
It's the walls, the floors and all of its beams

The living room couch, the rug on the floor
The paint on the ceiling and even the door
The vinyl wallpaper with small innocent petals
The kitchen tap water and all of those metals

The new foam mattress on the bed
The fluorescent lighting over your head
The washer and dryer you were sold
The bleach and softener for each load

The soap and shampoo for your shower
The roach and bug spray with super power
The microwave oven and your TV
The cordless phone and CD

The carbonless paper for your check
The green preservative for your deck
The electrical wiring in the wall
The books in the library down the hall

The gas-fired furnace and cooking stove, too
The noxious odors found in the loo
The mold in the basement under the floor
The air venting system designed so poor

The attached garage for storing the car
The powdery dust on your bar
The latest computer and printer tool
The chlorine agents used in the pool

The ceramic tile and counter top glue
The beautiful bedspread just brand new
The clothes in the closet cleaned with chemicals, too
The food in the cupboards for your stew

A house is not just what it seems
It's the sum of its parts, toxic by any means

Catherine Hollingsworth
copyright 2001