How to Not Write a Poem

I want to write a poem today, but first
my daughter needs to go to school
and she can't find her brush to get through
her tangled messy hair, and my son needs
help putting on his shirt and shorts and socks,
and no one has eaten breakfast yet.

I want to write a poem today, but first
I need to take my son to the eye doctor
to see if his eyes have improved since the
last time we visited, and after three hours
there at the doctor's, we are tired and hungry,
and then we find out my son needs glasses.

I want to write a poem today, but first
I need to pick up my daughter from school
because by the time we got home from the doctor's
office it was already two in the afternoon, so after
a quick late lunch, my son and I walk to the school,
stopping occasionally to look at the butterflies.

I want to write a poem today, but first
my daughter needs help with her spelling words,
sight words, and math homework; my son
can't find his big Easter egg toy that he just
has to have now; and everyone needs a little snack
after the long walk from school.

I want to write a poem today, but first
I need some coffee, and then my husband comes home
and we need to go to the store to pick up our daughter's
derby car kit, but the traffic is terrible, so we stop
for dinner at McDonald's, and then we go to
the eyeglass store to buy new glasses for our son.

I want to write a poem today, but first
I need to get my children ready for bed and read
them each a story, sing "Soft Kitty" to them, and kiss them
goodnight before I go downstairs to wash the dishes,
clean the kitchen, straighten up the living rooms, 
and make sure my daughter's backpack is ready for tomorrow.

I want to write a poem today, but first
I want to relax and watch a show with my husband
and cuddle on the couch, but after two episodes
it's already time to go upstairs to brush and floss
my teeth, get into my pajamas, slip under the bed covers,
read a few pages of my library book, and drift off to sleep.

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For the first day of National Poetry Writing Month, we were prompted to write a poem that instructs our readers on how to do something or not do something. I wrote my poem today about how not to write a poem. I hope you enjoy it.