ten gallons of paint
in two shades of first-place blue

nine sets of hands working
on their shared day off

eight sets of curtains
washed and re-hung

seven stairs on each level
to paint between the cracks

six day deadline to
start a vacation, a new life

five day miracles happen 
with many hands making light work

four levels to scrub grime
from walls, baseboards, and floors

three gallons of cleaner
to rub our hands raw

two levels of pet-pee-stained carpet
replaced at an affordable rate

one hell of a victory 
for the life we work so hard to achieve