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And now, very badly rhymed poetry.

Twas the night before wash day, and inside the house
The washer was leaky and sometimes too loud

The stockings were draped cross the basket in pairs
In hopes that the front loader soon would be there

The comforters nestled on top of the beds
While visions of king-size loads danced in our heads

And Paul in his short pants, and I in my coat
Had just gone gotten ready to walk near the moat

When in on my desk there started a ringing
I answered the phone; it was Home Depot pinging

Away with the pickup we drove like a flash
Took off the cover, and laid down our cash

The Christmas displays of the hardware and gadgets
Was nearly enough to keep us distracted

When what to our wondering eyes should appear
Our front loading washer and dryer came near

With the appliance guy pushing the boxes in sight
We knew we’d be doing some laundry tonight!

More rapid than eagles, to the front curb he came
And called other workers to help him by name–

Well really, he only called one to come help–
To lift heavy boxes with nary a yelp

To the side of the curb! To the back of the truck!
Now load them both in, ‘fore we run out of luck!

As dry leaves that before the wild leafblower fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, jump back toward your eye

So up to the hilltop we drove heading back
With truck bed all loaded; stopped once for a snack

And then, in a twinkling, we drove up the hill
Sliding on ice over dry glacial till

We stopped and unloaded the boxes on carts
And took off the packaging, checked all the parts;

They were clad all in metal with plastic controls
Electronic dials; big front-loading holes

A bundle of manuals was hidden inside
With samples of dryer sheets; also of Tide

The stainless steel wash tub–all dimpled with drains
Also the fins, so on clothing it rains…

The dryer contained a bright light and a rack
All the better for drying the things that go ‘clack’

The feet of the dryer we removed with a wrench
Moved onto the washer, which would serve as its bench

We shoved the stacked set to the back of the niche
After hooking up hoses and adjusting the pitch

They were tall and imposing, a rather high pair
And I laughed when I needed to climb up a stair

The click of some buttons and twist of a dial
Soon reassured me we’d wash in awhile

I spoke not a word but went straight to the door
Flinging in clothing so quickly it tore

And filling dispensers with plenty of soap,
I started the cycle, crossed my fingers with hope

That soon all the laundry would pass through them cleanly,
That both would consume electricity meanly,

Soon the washer was beeping, wet clothes inside lying
Happy washing to all, and it’s now time for drying!

Not even a mouse