For me it’s a meditation br I do it slowly, lovingly br crying if I need to br or singing softly br br But when Hans and Thea br come visiting dishwashing br becomes a competition, how fast br how many, in how short a time br br In and out of the basin br in one sweeping movement br no time for quiet contemplation br I have to compete or be left behind br br Forget silent action, sweet dedication br to thorough peacefulness, br my innocuous alienation - an escape br from too many people - br br Is taken from me! br I rack my brains to br offer amiable conversation br without touching upon br br The sweet elation br of the unknown br and strange br mystery…br br Margaret Alicebr br