A Monday Morning Date 1961

She stands there

for a few minutes

and allows the echo

of the row with her daughter

to fade into a memory.

She lets out a deep sigh

and puts on

the Mozart sonatas record

her husband bought for her

some weeks ago.

She lights her third cigarette

of the day and pours a glass

of vodka and sips.

Mozart is her go to

when depression comes.

Lizbeth is such a moody girl

and snaps back

like a snappy puppy.

Mozart soothes.

The vodka enters her mouth

and moves to unwind her nerves.

She looks out the kitchen window

at the garden and fields beyond.

The making of beds

and washing up

of the breakfast things

can wait.

She and Mozart

and booze and cigarette

have a date.