Noise Canceling

A Poem Inspired by Distance Learning

Hello. I’m Erin. I read, I write, I mother.

Generally, I write flash fiction. Sometimes, I write poetry. I’m endeavoring to lift my mood by writing poetry inspired by the SEVENTEEN DAYS of distance learning (the seventeen includes weekends and holidays, yes, but dang if I don’t have all three kids all over me during those weekends and holidays as well). My rules are that the poetry has to be humorous or at least not downright sad.

Here is the first installment. I call it “Noise Canceling.”

Don’t bother Mommy. 
She’s got her earbuds in.
You know what that means.

It means we can do what we 
want, and she 
won’t hear it.

They’re noise-canceling.
Did you know that?

It means they 
cancel out
noise. 

That means noise
doesn’t exist when she’s
wearing them. 

I don’t know why she
doesn’t wear them all the time. 

Yes, we can do that
now while she’s got her
noise-canceling earbuds in.

And yes, we can do that,
too.

But probably not that.
No, we shouldn’t do that.

Not even if she has her earbuds in.

That seems dangerous.
I know, usually that's fun.
But really. 
Get off of there.

No. No, don’t do that.

Don't unload the dishes.
That's OK.
I know you're trying to help.
But I don't think she'd
like that.

No, put that back. 

Hey, Mommy? Mama?

No, stop it. 
Don’t do that. 
I mean it, don’t!

Mom! Mom!
Help! Help me!

I said stop!

Mom! I need help!
Help me!
Oh shit.

I shouldn’t have said that.

Glad she didn’t hear it.

Thanks for reading.

Find more of my everything at erinlunde.com