My Kitchen Floor

Smeared grapes, squashed peas
dribbles of unidentified dried liquid
cheerios reduced to crumbs
anxiously wait in in the corners and crevices
looking for suspicious movement
as my feet pad through the kitchen and back again

carrots and shredded cheese, dried
bonded to the linoleum with unexplainable zest
smirk at me from their vantage point underneath my daughter's chair

I've closed my eyes for days
ignoring the batttle cries of dried banana slices
crushed granola bars
spilled milk, dehydrated, flaking away underfoot

The deadline is nearing
The truce is ending
Soapy water and a worn rag my weapons of choice

I will scrub this floor before midnight.