The welcome mat

Preparing for a guest.
We stock our larders.
And spring clean our homes.
Make it shine for our guest.

When no one visits,
chores are left to slide.
We do only the basic cleaning.
Dust is left to settle sometimes.

But when someone is invited,
dustpan, brooms and mops come out.
The house gets polished and shined.
Not a speck of dust anywhere.

There is pride for our home.
To show the best to our guest.
A feast cooked, a feast eaten.
The comfort of home is shared.

The welcome mat placed at the door.
A message of invitation laid down.
All ready to usher in our guests.
Our homes spick and span.

What if you had an unexpected guest?
Would you be as hospitable as a host?
Irritable that your home is not spotless?
Or take it in stride, life throws curve balls.

I have been caught unawares.
An uninvited guest at my front door.
I froze in panic then sighed in defeat.
A smile pasted on, I opened the door.

By C.E. Pereira
(2-10-2016)