How to Place Blame

for how it waits,

like horses thumping at the gates

to finally race at the sound of

your voice.

Perhaps she is the most guilty

for what her mother mocks her of

when the dishes are left undone:

You must have selective hearing,

she laughs and pinches each of her ears,

that never seem to hear all the warnings.

So loud, like the announcers

placing bets on if they’ll ever

reach the finish line.