Tsukimono-Sabure

I meant to be on time today I really, really tried. But you won't believe what happened. I swear I nearly died. After sixty pounds of homework And fifteen hours of chores, I fell into my iron bed. It must have been 'round four. My mother woke me up at dawn With nothing much to say Except that I'd failed to complete Some stuff the previous day. "Wash the dishes! Mow the lawn! Clean the cat box! Sweep the pool! And above all else, O Daughter mine, Don't you dare be late for school!" Countless hours passed in toil. My hands, they nearly bled. My aching back, my calloused feet… I nearly passed out dead. When I took a shower,