Dusting

 

Dust if you must

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed;
Ponder the difference between want and need? 

Dust if you must, but there’s not much time,
With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;
Music to hear, and books to read:
Friends to cherish, and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world’s out there
With sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,

Old age will come and it’s not kind.

And when you go (and go you must)

You, yourself, will make more dust.

Rose Milligan (first published in September 1998 in ‘The Lady.’)

Rose Milligan was born in Yorkshire, but later moved to Lancaster, Lancashire, where she indulged her love of fell-walking. She died in 1994, leaving behind friends and a loving family, including great-great-grandchildren.

For those who are driven to dust – that is, the act of dusting, AI says:

Yes, regular dusting is essential for health and home maintenance. It removes allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and pollen that cause respiratory issues, while also preventing the buildup of harmful indoor chemical contaminants. Dusting improves indoor air quality, protects furniture from damage, and stops dust from attracting more dust.