WHY IS IT

that i can’t
seem to think
far enough
in advance
to conclude
that one should
thoroughly
cleanse shoes worn
in a river
then forgotten
in the closet
for six months
before taking
them as the
sole option
on a trip
far from home
for four days
which includes
two three hour
rides in a
mini-van
with five people
and one fetus
who although
may be in
utero
would still mind
its poor mom
breathing in
noxious fumes