0 Days of Yes

by Hayley Mitchell Haugen

The healthy living app asks, again,

if I drank water before breakfast,

but I hear: Did you take out the trash?

Did you grade those papers?

Did you change the kids’ sheets?

Did you call the Dr. about that stomach thing?

Did you write that poem?

Did you save any money this month?

Did you throw out the expired salmon?

Did you email that student back?

Did you go to the gym like you said you would?

Did you take in the clothes donations?

Did you read your friend’s book?

Did you use that expensive new eye cream?

Did you paint that spot on the wall?

Did you text your mom?

Did you eat less?

Did you trim the guinea pig?

Did you send that card?

Did you love your husband?

Did you sweep the porch?

Did you scrub the tub?

Did you support your girlfriend?

Did you check your kid’s grades before the new term?

Did you finally make the cookies with the mint chips?

Did you remember to shower?

Did you think of anyone except yourself?

Did you try harder?

Did you make amends?

Did you spend your time wisely?

Did you do even one thing to make a difference?

Did you ever?

Did you?

* * * * *

Hayley Mitchell Haugen holds a Ph.D. in 20^th Century American Literature from Ohio University and an MFA in poetry from the University of Washington. She is currently an Associate Professor of English at Ohio University Southern, where she teaches courses in composition, American literature, and creative writing. Her chapbook What the Grimm Girl Looks Forward To appears from Finishing Line Press (2016), and poems have appeared, or are forthcoming, in Rattle, Slant, Spillway, Chiron Review, Verse Virtual and many other journals. Light & Shadow, Shadow & Light from Main Street Rag Publishing Company (2018) is her first full-length collection. She edits Sheila-Na-Gig online: https://sheilanagigblog.com/ and Sheila-Na-Gig Editions.