it could be

She apologizes quickly when we enter the yard

if she had known we were coming, she would have bathed the kids

she would have knocked the drying laundry off the roof 

with a broom, as she does now

she would have had it all done first

but the days are so short

she says, and the laundry is never finished

the children are never clean

the sewing is still not finished

and thankfully mama's cooking

I know I know, I say

don't apologize!  
and I do know.

This is not my kitchen

Jefte, Ephraim, Ludwhich, these are not my babies

this is not my chicken

not my yard

but our children make us throw up our hands and laugh

and our smiles shine from tired eyes

and our laundry piles are never small

and the Lord our God is our strength

This is not my life.

but it could be