Floor Committment

Yesterday we bought a floor
to put over the plywood
separating our stories.

A floor means we're almost home.
It means a next chapter.

Then we met with the guy at Lumber Liquidators.

We pulled out the birch planks
that had been chosen--
researched by
pricecolorsize
laid it on the counter
a perfect hand.

Ya really gotta baby your floor Mr. Helpful intoned
Ya can't just put any old cleaner on there
No cheap wood polish
No pets
No heavy traffic
Ya should clean it 'bout once a day

Seriously? Clean the floor once a day?
Does anyone do that?

Did you clean those samples today, my husband smiled

Oh, not today he replied

It made me wonder about all the houses and houses
with wood on the floor
resting there
year after year
while feet march
through birthdays and
Christmas mornings,
evenings of sorrow
and snow tracked in
on a winter afternoon.

A dent, a scrape
a history of life lived.
A floor sees it all.
Supports the everyday.

So we're taking the plunge
starting our house story
laying down birch
crossing our fingers.

(We bought the special cleaner.)