Dirty dishes are a chore

But they’re also a privilege

Leaving dirty dishes in the sink is lazy

But to me, they’re a privilege

When I left dirty dishes at your apartment

In the sink

We cooked pasta and ate it directly from the pan

Before falling asleep to that 90’s TV show

Tv glow casting shadows over our under-eye circles

And you didn’t wake up

Screaming

Yelling

Shouting

Stomping

because I didn’t do the dishes

I knew right then and there

Dirty dishes are a privilege

It is the privilege of just being

Dirty dishes mean I can be lazy around you

Dirty dishes mean I can fall asleep

And trust

You won’t wake me up

And that I’ll sleep till noon

Knowing you’ll probably do the dishes

After we’ve eaten waffles and bacon

As I talk your ear off

And dry the dishes

Squeaky clean

And tell you that story of why I don’t like to do the dishes