dust

i used to notice dust
only when company was coming
a quick pass with a rag
the flat surfaces 
the places your eyes land
now i see it every day
 
it settles on the bookshelf
by afternoon
on the top of the fridge
where i forget to look
until i remember again
the corners of the rooms
that stayed clean
by being ignored
 
i don't remember 
when that changed
at some point
the house started getting 
ahead of me
not dramatically
just a little more each week
 
the broom leans where i left it
the vacuum feels heavier
i skip the baseboards
i tell myself it's fine
 
dust doesn't rush
it has patience
it waits while i sit down
while i decide
what can wait until tomorrow
 
the dust isn't a problem
it's not dirty exactly
it's just there
proof that things keep moving
even when i slow down