The Clean House

Matilde, Machuge, Machichi,
The Clean House sweeps you easy,
Orders your head like Virginia’s hands
To remember and forget like jokes demand,
White and color, OR and ocean,
Snow and sunglasses, bad apple tossin’,
Super-subtitles, glances of admiration,
Facial contortions, Arctic exploration,
Laughing till kissing, back again,
Can opener blaming, lack of a friend,
Storm cloudy skylights, Jobim-blue skies,
Silent primal moments, euthanize,
Borrowing women, obvious daydreams
Explained, “Just my imagination…”
Ruhl peels back skull seams:
It’s like coming off sedation the morning after
As you reexamine your prescription for laughter,
X-ray your glow and ask, “Who asked for this task?
The perfect joke day is coming up fast.”

(Saw The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl last night. Here's more info for those who haven't seen it: Windy City Times review)

The Clean House, Sarah Ruhl, Goodman Theatre